Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Pandemic Bill of Rights for the Welfare of Individuals," granting specific protections to all New Jersey residents during pandemics, disease outbreaks, or public health emergencies. It directly affects vulnerable groups like nursing home residents (who faced high mortality during COVID-19) and requires healthcare facilities to provide medical evaluations before discharge, adequate care/nourishment, visitation rights, and safeguards against disease spread. The bill also mandates that attorneys be designated as essential workers to ensure continued access to legal services, including honoring medical directives like do-not-resuscitate orders. The Commissioner of Health must publish these rights online, and all healthcare facilities must post them prominently. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 1330 "Michelle's Law" requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover mammograms under specific conditions. It mandates coverage for a baseline mammogram at age 40, annual mammograms for women 40 and older, and mammograms for women under 40 with breast cancer risk factors (like family history) as recommended by their doctor. The law also requires coverage for additional tests like ultrasounds or MRIs after a mammogram if breast density is extremely high, the mammogram is abnormal, or other risk factors exist. This directly affects women who need breast cancer screening through their health insurance plans. The bill is currently in committee after being introduced in January 2024.
Maddy summaryS 1350 repeals a $100,000 annual spending cap on sales and use tax exemptions for businesses participating in New Jersey's Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program. This bill directly affects certified UEZ businesses that make qualifying capital improvements to their property, such as building construction, major repairs, or renovations. The key provision removes the previous limit, allowing these businesses to claim full tax exemptions for all eligible improvements - regardless of cost - starting January 1, 2022. The change applies retroactively, meaning businesses can now claim exemptions for qualifying projects completed since 2022 without the prior $100,000 restriction.
Maddy summaryThis bill waives state and municipal renewal fees for certain alcohol licenses held by businesses affected by pandemic restrictions. It directly helps bars/restaurants (with "plenary retail" licenses), microbreweries ("limited brewery" licenses), and brew pubs ("restricted brewery" licenses") by eliminating their annual state fees ($200) and allowing local governments to waive their separate municipal fees ($250-$2,500). Businesses that paid these fees after March 9, 2020 (when the pandemic emergency began) are entitled to refunds. The waiver is retroactive to March 9, 2020, and expires when pandemic restrictions end or 13 months after enactment, whichever comes later.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities from requiring students to get a COVID-19 vaccine or provide proof of vaccination to enroll, attend classes, or participate in campus programs. It directly affects all students at higher education institutions in New Jersey by removing vaccine mandates as a condition of their academic participation. The key provision bans institutions from making vaccination a requirement for enrollment, course attendance, or program involvement. The law takes effect immediately upon passage and applies to all public and private higher education institutions in the state.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1331, the "Fairness in Women's Sport Act," requires public and private schools to designate athletic teams based solely on biological sex, mandating that female sports teams be restricted to students assigned female at birth. The bill specifies that eligibility for female teams must be verified through a physician's statement confirming internal/external anatomy, natural testosterone levels, and genetic makeup - excluding transgender athletes who transitioned after puberty. It prohibits schools from allowing male-identified students on female teams and protects institutions from complaints for maintaining sex-segregated teams. The law also creates legal remedies for violations, including lawsuits for lost opportunities or retaliation, with claims needing to be filed within two years. The bill takes immediate effect and directly affects student-athletes in New Jersey high schools and colleges participating in NJSIAA, NCAA, NAIA, or NJCAA sports.
Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Congress and the President to pass federal legislation prohibiting federally regulated financial institutions (like banks and payment services) from penalizing customers for expressing constitutionally protected speech. It was prompted by PayPal’s 2022 policy proposal to fine users $2,500 for posting "misinformation" or content deemed "unfit" by the company alone. The resolution emphasizes that such policies could restrict free speech despite the First Amendment, as financial services are essential to daily life. It does not create new law but requests federal action to protect consumers from private financial institutions’ speech-related penalties.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates two grant programs for small public water systems (under 500 service connections) using federal funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The first program funds operational improvements like leak detection, asset mapping, and infrastructure repairs to prevent water loss. The second program supports data-sharing systems for water quality, infrastructure needs, and cybersecurity technology, including regional data hubs. Both programs require grantees to report on funded projects within three years, with the department publishing eligibility criteria and grant details online.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's small business loan program to include certified broadband telecommunications service providers operating in rural areas. It directly affects rural broadband providers (defined as entities certified by the Board of Public Utilities to offer high-speed internet with minimum speeds of 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload) serving communities with populations under 30,000 and density below 4,000 people per square mile. The key mechanism allows these providers to access loan funds for capital purchases, such as equipment and infrastructure, to expand broadband services. The change adds broadband providers to the existing list of eligible borrowers, which previously included dairy farmers and farming operations. The bill amends the eligibility criteria in the state's small business loan program statute.
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 940 ("Parents Bill of Rights Act"), grants New Jersey parents and guardians specific rights regarding their child's education in public schools. It requires schools to provide parents with a curriculum summary, allow them to review classroom materials (including textbooks and media), and permits opting a child out of any curriculum conflicting with the parent's conscience or religious beliefs - without academic penalties for credit or graduation. The bill explicitly bars school districts from interfering with these rights or denying parent requests for educational information. It directly affects parents/guardians of K-12 students and school districts across New Jersey.