Asm. Andrea Katz

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 158) requires New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to create and run a beginning farmer mentoring program. It directly affects new farmers seeking guidance and experienced farmers who will provide mentorship. The program, developed with partners like Rutgers University and the New Jersey Farm Bureau, will connect beginning farmers with seasoned mentors to share practical farming knowledge and advice through structured support and online resources. The bill addresses the state's trend of aging farmers (average age 59 in 2012) by aiming to help new farmers succeed and sustain agriculture in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to reduce student loan debt for veterinarians working in New Jersey's underserved areas. It provides up to $25,000 annually in loan repayment (capped at $150,000 total) for full-time large animal vets, $16,666 annually (capped at $100,000) for mixed-time vets, and $8,333 annually (capped at $50,000) for part-time vets who commit to three years of service in designated shortage areas. Participants must prove annual employment in these areas and meet specific practice hour requirements. The program is funded by a $200,000 state appropriation through the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 10, 2026, as "Christina Grimmie Day" in New Jersey to honor the late singer and songwriter who was a native of the state. The resolution recognizes Grimmie's musical achievements and her legacy as a New Jersey artist, particularly noting that the date marks the tenth anniversary of her passing. It requests the Governor to issue a proclamation for the day, serving as a commemorative gesture rather than a change to laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the role of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute to improve access to mental health care for children by creating a new data dashboard and coordinating system improvements. The legislation transfers $3 million from the Department of Children and Families to the Department of Human Services to fund this initiative, which includes hiring a stakeholder group to map out the current process families face when seeking care. The Health Care Quality Institute will conduct research across the state to identify barriers, analyze funding structures, and develop a visual guide that outlines the steps required to access services. Additionally, the Institute will serve as the central entity to implement recommendations from this research and ensure better coordination among schools, state agencies, and insurers. The bill also requires the Institute to submit a comprehensive report within 13 months detailing eligibility rules, coverage details, and policy suggestions to address disparities in pediatric mental health outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires insurance carriers to maintain an up-to-date directory of mental health providers and mandates that they approve exceptions when no qualified in-network options are available. It also compels the Department of Banking and Insurance to monitor mental health coverage for minors and submit annual reports detailing how insurers set medical necessity standards and apply non-quantitative treatment limitations. These provisions aim to increase transparency by forcing insurers to publicly explain their decision-making processes regarding mental health and substance use disorder benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new role for youth mental health care professionals within New Jersey's family court system to support cases involving individuals under 21. These professionals, who must be licensed social workers, psychologists, or psychiatrists with specific experience in youth trauma, will assist judges by identifying mental health needs, recommending interventions, and connecting families with appropriate services. The legislation grants these professionals access to confidential records held by the court and other agencies to better evaluate each case while providing them with immunity from liability when acting in good faith. Additionally, the bill amends existing statutes to clarify which entities are authorized to view sensitive juvenile records, ensuring that the new professionals can legally access necessary information to perform their duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $4.5 million grant program to reimburse New Jersey school districts for costs incurred when expanding their procurement of locally grown food for students. It directly affects eligible school districts participating in federal meal programs (like National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs), requiring them to submit plans for new or expanded local food sourcing beyond current baseline levels. The program reimburses documented costs for minimally processed local foods (like fruits, vegetables, or grains grown in New Jersey), excluding fluid dairy milk. School districts must implement new policies to increase local food access during school meals or summer programs to qualify for reimbursement.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the New Jersey Energy Security & Affordability Act, allows electric public utilities in New Jersey to own, develop, or operate specific in-state power generation resources under strict oversight. The legislation defines these resources as strategic assets, such as energy storage or dispatchable facilities, that address reliability needs not currently met by the competitive wholesale market. To protect consumers, the bill mandates that any costs passed to ratepayers must be transparent, based on prudent costs, and subject to approval by the Board of Public Utilities. While granting utilities this limited authority to improve grid stability, the act explicitly preserves the state's broader competitive electricity market framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts in New Jersey to officially classify student absences due to illness as excused. To qualify, parents or guardians must provide supporting documentation to the school when the student returns. Additionally, the state's Commissioner of Education will work with health officials to create specific guidelines outlining what documentation is needed. The law applies to all public school districts and takes effect at the start of the next full school year after it is passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey sports wagering licensees (including casinos, racetracks, and online operators) from offering "micro bets," which are wagers on the outcome of the very next play or action in a game (e.g., the next baseball pitch). It directly affects sportsbooks operating in the state and bettors who might place these rapid, high-frequency wagers. The key provision bans micro bets as a specific type of live wager during ongoing events, with penalties for violations. The bill aims to reduce problem gambling risks linked to the speed and immediacy of these bets, citing rising gambling concerns in New Jersey and nationally.