Maddy summaryThe "Fair Access to Health Care Networks Act" requires New Jersey health insurance carriers to include any State-licensed health care provider - such as ambulatory surgical centers, diagnostic labs, imaging centers, and private practices - in their networks upon application. Carriers must reimburse these providers at a minimum of 200% of Medicare rates for equivalent services (unless the provider agrees to a lower rate) and cannot exclude them based on size, ownership, or hospital affiliation. If a carrier fails to respond to an inclusion request within 90 days, the provider is automatically provisionally included. The Department of Banking and Insurance will enforce the law, imposing civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, with $2 million allocated for administration.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits paid to eligible retired members of New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It requires the PFRS board of trustees to restore these COLAs to their previous statutory level without requiring additional contributions from retirees, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't increase employer costs or jeopardize the system's long-term financial health. The policy directly affects retired police officers and firefighters who receive benefits under the PFRS. The change reverses a prior reduction to these automatic inflation adjustments for this specific retirement system.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the asset limits (resource thresholds) for certain Medicaid applicants in New Jersey. It raises the maximum allowable resources from 200% of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) standards to specific dollar amounts: $40,000 for single-person households, $60,000 for two-person households, and an additional $20,000 per extra person for larger households. This change directly affects medically needy individuals who qualify under categories like seniors (65+), disabled persons, pregnant women, and dependent children, allowing more people to qualify for Medicaid based on their asset levels. The policy shift simplifies eligibility determination by using fixed dollar thresholds instead of percentage-based calculations tied to federal SSI rules.
Maddy summaryS 2494 creates a new crime called "fiscal victimization" targeting seniors (60+) and disabled individuals (with documented physical/mental impairments). It makes it illegal to commit theft or identity theft against these groups, with strict liability - defendants cannot claim they didn’t know the victim’s status. Penalties increase by one degree (e.g., from disorderly persons to fourth-degree crime) unless the underlying crime is a first-degree offense, which could lead to 10-30 years in prison. The law requires separate sentencing for both the theft and fiscal victimization charges, and the victimization charge is dismissed if the underlying theft is dropped.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires every New Jersey county prosecutor to create a centralized, countywide system for tracking sexual assault forensic evidence kits (SAFE kits) collected within their county. The system must meet specific standards set by the Attorney General, who is also tasked with issuing necessary guidelines to implement the law. County prosecutors must establish this tracking system, ensuring all evidence kits from sexual assault cases are monitored consistently across the county. The law takes effect four months after it is enacted.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill S 598 requires health insurance plans to cover diagnosis and treatment for two specific pediatric neurological conditions: PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome). The bill mandates coverage for treatments including antibiotics, behavioral therapies, immunomodulating medicines, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG), provided by a treating physician. Insurance plans must cover these expenses "to the same extent as for any other condition," applying to hospital service, medical service, health service, individual, group, and health benefits plans. This directly affects patients diagnosed with PANDAS or PANS and all health insurance providers operating in New Jersey.
Maddy summarySR 15 is a New Jersey Senate resolution urging the federal government to exempt Social Security benefits from federal income tax. It directly affects all Social Security recipients, including retirees (90% of seniors aged 65+), disabled workers, survivors, and dependents, whose benefits currently make up about 30% of their income. The resolution notes that federal taxation of these benefits began in 1984, with income thresholds unchanged since the 1990s, and states that 41 states and the District of Columbia already exempt Social Security from state income tax. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests congressional action to eliminate this federal tax.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to send parents of students with disabilities an annual written notice about available advanced placement (AP) courses. The notice must include the course name, description, and any enrollment prerequisites. It also prohibits schools from excluding students with disabilities from AP courses solely because of their disability. The law directly affects students with disabilities and their families by ensuring equal access to AP opportunities and clear information about course options.
Maddy summaryThis bill changes when nursing licenses expire in New Jersey. It requires licenses issued by the New Jersey Board of Nursing to expire on the holder's birthday, rather than on fixed dates. If the birthday doesn't align with a specific calendar date in the renewal year, the license expires on the last day of the birth month. This applies only to licenses issued after the bill takes effect (30 days after enactment) and affects registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, homemaker-home health aides, advanced practice nurses, and forensic nurses-certified sexual assault. Licenses will remain valid for two years, consistent with current biennial renewal periods.
Maddy summaryS 493 increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $100 for low-income residents in nursing homes, state psychiatric hospitals, and state developmental centers who receive Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. This allowance allows residents to spend money on personal items like phone calls, meals out, clothing, or hobbies - not facility costs. The bill amends two existing statutes (P.L.1985, c.286 and P.L.1973, c.256) to raise the minimum PNA amount and requires adjustments to state payments for SSI recipients. The change doubles the current allowance under New Jersey law, aligning with the state's obligation to supplement federal SSI benefits.