Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill allows health care professionals licensed in other states to practice in New Jersey while their New Jersey licensure applications are being processed. It applies to a wide range of professionals including physicians, nurses, counselors, therapists, and other health care practitioners. The bill requires these professionals to immediately notify New Jersey authorities if their out-of-state license is suspended or disciplined, with a $500 daily penalty for failing to provide this notice. It also establishes temporary licenses for recent health care graduates (within six months of graduation) to practice under supervision while awaiting full licensure.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey pharmacy staff authority to administer vaccines. It allows pharmacists, pharmacy interns, externs, and technicians to give COVID-19 and influenza vaccines to patients aged 5 and older (lowering the previous age limit from 7), with parental permission required for those under 18. Staff must work under a licensed pharmacist's direct supervision and report all vaccinations to the state immunization system. The law directly affects pharmacy workers and patients seeking vaccines without a doctor's appointment.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to readmit undergraduate students who left school due to military service, including active duty in the Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserve. Schools must reinstate these students with the same academic standing they held before their service interruption and grant readmission for the next available semester upon written request. The bill prohibits institutions from charging application or other fees for these readmission requests. It takes effect immediately, applying to the first full academic year after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly resolution (AR 154) urges Congress to hold a joint session at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on July 2, 2026, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It specifically references House Resolution 115, introduced in the 118th Congress, which proposes this commemorative session. The resolution has no legal effect - it is a symbolic request for Congress to honor the historical significance of the Declaration's approval at Independence Hall. It directly affects the U.S. Congress, as it asks lawmakers to consider convening in Philadelphia for this anniversary event.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey telecom, cable, and internet providers to let customers pause or cancel service contracts without early termination fees when they move into a qualifying long-term care facility. It directly affects residents admitted to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, dementia care homes, or residential health care facilities for at least 90 days, as verified by a physician’s order or care plan. Providers must pause billing for a minimum 90 days upon admission, then cancel the contract if the resident remains in the facility beyond that period. The law mandates no fees for this pause/cancellation, though customers must provide physician documentation and typically give 45 days’ notice (or 48 hours in urgent cases).
Maddy summaryACR 138 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the 40th anniversary of New Jersey's Jersey Fresh program, a state-sponsored initiative established in 1984 to promote locally grown produce. The resolution recognizes the program's role in supporting New Jersey farms, increasing consumer awareness of seasonal produce, and serving as a national model for agricultural branding. It does not create new laws or policies but formally commends the program's success in connecting consumers with locally harvested fruits and vegetables across all 21 counties. The resolution directs copies to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Agriculture for their records.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's existing telemedicine pay parity law, requiring health insurance plans to pay providers the same rate for telehealth services as in-person visits for covered services. It applies to all health benefits plans in New Jersey (including Medicaid and private insurers) and affects providers delivering telehealth care. The extension, now ending December 31, 2025 (previously 2024), maintains the requirement that telehealth reimbursement equals in-person rates for covered services, excluding audio-only visits (which receive 50% of in-person rates) and behavioral health services (which receive full in-person rates). This is a procedural extension of an existing policy, not a new mandate.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires telecom, cable, and internet providers in New Jersey to let customers cancel service contracts without early fees when moving to a long-term care facility for at least 90 days. It applies to individuals receiving a physician's referral or care plan for relocation to licensed facilities like nursing homes, assisted living, or dementia care homes. Customers must typically provide 45 days' notice (or 48 hours if a physician orders immediate relocation), and providers may request a physician's letter as proof. The bill does not relieve customers of equipment return fees or payments for equipment they already purchased.
Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the New Jersey Department of Health to increase public awareness about xylazine, a veterinary drug not approved for human use that is being used recreationally and linked to overdose deaths. It requests the Department to provide educational resources informing residents about xylazine's health risks - including its incompatibility with naloxone (used for opioid overdoses) and its frequent combination with fentanyl - which can cause severe complications like skin ulcers and dangerous respiratory depression. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but calls on the Department to address this public health concern through targeted outreach. The resolution specifically highlights xylazine's role in rising overdose deaths in New Jersey and surrounding states.