Asm. Andrea Katz

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the governance of New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), which provides health coverage to state employees. It creates a new 11-member State Health Benefits Commission (replacing the previous structure) and a separate 12-member Plan Design Committee. The Commission includes the Treasurer, agency heads, and members appointed by labor unions representing state employees, while the Plan Design Committee focuses specifically on designing health plan benefits like medical, dental, and prescription coverage. These changes affect all state employees enrolled in the SHBP by altering who oversees their health plan offerings and administration. The bill does not change the actual benefits provided, only the decision-making bodies managing the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover medically necessary speech therapy for stuttering, including both habilitative (helping develop speech skills) and rehabilitative (helping regain lost skills) therapy. It applies to all health insurance policies sold in New Jersey, including individual, group, and hospital service contracts, and mandates coverage whether therapy is provided in-person or via telehealth. Insurers must cover these services at the same level as other medical treatments, without additional restrictions. The law directly affects residents with stuttering who rely on insurance for speech therapy, ensuring they receive consistent coverage for this specific treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds "Sikhism" to New Jersey's list of protected classes under the state's bias intimidation law (N.J.S.2C:16-1), explicitly including Sikhs in legal protections against hate crimes motivated by religious bias. It directly affects Sikh residents and community members who face discrimination or violence due to their religious identity, such as attacks targeting turbans, beards, or gurdwaras. The key mechanism amends the statute to cover offenses committed "because of their membership within a protected class," including Sikhism, and creates a legal presumption that bias was a motivating factor in such crimes. The bill also appropriates $100,000, likely for educational or support programs related to Sikh community awareness, though specific funding details aren't outlined in the text.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the FY2026 annual funding for New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) by $16.7 million to raise the monthly reimbursement rate paid to care management organizations (CMOs). Specifically, it raises the NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for CMO services from $1,032 to $1,200 per client starting in FY2026, with annual $100 increases until reaching $1,500 per client. CMOs - county-based agencies providing coordinated care for youth with complex behavioral health needs, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities - are directly affected by this rate change. The funding adjustment ensures CMOs receive higher payments for services delivered under the NJ FamilyCare program.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A2736 updates criminal laws to address nonconsensual deepfake pornography. It makes it a crime (third or fourth degree) to create or share deepfake images of someone in private moments without consent - such as deepfake porn videos or images of private body parts - using advanced AI technology to mimic real people. The law directly affects victims of nonconsensual deepfakes and individuals who create or distribute such content. Key provisions define "deepfake" clearly, prohibit sharing these images (including online), and set fines up to $30,000 for violations. The bill does not cover law enforcement or retail fitting room exceptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers responsibility for inspecting on-farm dairy processing operations from the Department of Health (DOH) to the Department of Agriculture (DOA). It requires DOA to collaborate with DOH and local health boards for these inspections and transfers all related records, equipment, and DOH employees involved in these inspections to DOA. The bill directly affects dairy farmers who undergo these inspections and the two state departments managing the process. Key mechanisms include the immediate transfer of authority, resources, and staff, with DOA allowed to create new rules for implementation. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors building large data centers in New Jersey to pay workers the local prevailing wage rate. It applies specifically to projects with electrical capacity of 250 kilowatts or greater, or designed for 500 kilowatt-hours average usage. Contractors must meet strict registration, insurance, safety, and training requirements - including OSHA-compliant worker training and detailed payroll reporting - to ensure compliance. The law directly affects construction companies working on qualifying data centers, aiming to standardize labor costs for these large-scale projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Saving Our Diners and Protecting Our Past (SODA POP) Act," provides tax incentives for historic diners and restaurants in New Jersey. To qualify, establishments must have operated continuously for at least 25 years (including pandemic closures), be family-owned small businesses, and comply with health/safety rules. Approved businesses gain a sales tax exemption on prepared food and beverages for on-site consumption and a tax credit certificate for corporate business/gross income taxes. The Division of Travel and Tourism maintains an annual registry, requiring operators to apply yearly for inclusion. This directly benefits qualifying historic eateries by reducing their tax burden.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to study racial differences in ovarian cancer outcomes. The study must examine variations in cancer effects, rates, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment results among women of specific racial and ethnic groups, including Asian, African-American, Caucasian, Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander communities. The DOH must complete the study and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of the bill's enactment, after which the bill expires. The measure directly affects women in these communities by seeking data to understand potential disparities in ovarian cancer care.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Office of Disordered Eating Prevention within New Jersey's Department of Health and creates a Disordered Eating Prevention Research Grant Program. The Office must develop an annual public resource on disordered eating (available in multiple languages and culturally sensitive), partner with schools and mental health programs, and administer the grant program. The grant program provides funding to eligible organizations - such as nonprofits, researchers, or service providers - to study the root causes, risk factors, and prevention strategies for disordered eating among youth, adults, and older residents. The Office must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing the program's activities and findings.