Sen. Owen Henry

Maddy summaryThis bill requires manufacturers of firefighting gear containing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to provide written notice to purchasers at the time of sale. The notice must state that PFAS is present, explain why it's included, and list the specific chemicals by name. Beginning two years after the bill takes effect, the sale, manufacture, and distribution of firefighting gear with intentionally added PFAS will be banned in New Jersey. The law directly affects manufacturers and purchasers of firefighting personal protective equipment (like jackets, helmets, and gloves) and enforces compliance through New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent "Civil Air Patrol Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, requiring an annual $100,000 appropriation from the state General Fund. The fund supports New Jersey's Civil Air Patrol Wing by financing specific programs like cadet STEM/aviation training, search and rescue readiness, disaster relief equipment (including a Redbird Simulator), and volunteer training. Unspent funds carry forward annually, and the fund may also accept federal grants and public donations. The bill directly affects the Civil Air Patrol's operations in New Jersey, providing dedicated state funding for its community and emergency services programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2159) prohibits New Jersey's State Lottery Commission from selling lottery tickets online through its own website or mobile apps. It also prevents the Commission or its contractors from acting as online sales agents for lottery games. The bill specifically exempts licensed courier services (as permitted under existing law) from this restriction. It blocks the Commission's planned 2024 rollout of direct internet sales while allowing couriers to continue online lottery ticket sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 4910 ("Fair Access to Health Care Networks Act"), requires health insurance carriers in New Jersey to include all state-licensed health care facilities (such as clinics, labs, imaging centers, and physician practices) in their networks upon application. Carriers must respond to applications within 90 days and automatically add facilities if they miss the deadline, while paying at least 200% of Medicare rates for equivalent services. It prohibits carriers from excluding providers based on size, ownership, or hospital affiliation and ensures patients can access any licensed facility accepting the set reimbursement rate. The bill appropriates $2 million for enforcement by the Department of Banking and Insurance, which can impose $25,000 penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1253) establishes a three-year pilot program to study how therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs affect student well-being and learning. It requires school districts to apply with details about their schools and therapy dog plans, and the state will select two districts per region (south, central, north) to ensure urban, suburban, and rural representation. Participating districts will receive guidance on safe dog interactions, handler training, health monitoring, and insurance. The program mandates a final report evaluating academic and health outcomes after three years.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5049) removes a current restriction that allows the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to withhold retirement or death benefits from members if they are involved in pending civil lawsuits related to their employment. It specifically prohibits the PFRS Board from delaying benefits due to such civil litigation, though it maintains the ability to withhold benefits for members facing criminal charges or administrative dismissal. The bill requires the Board to adjust benefits after any legal case concludes, rather than holding payments indefinitely during litigation. This change directly affects current and future PFRS members who are involved in employment-related civil disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to treat deaths occurring during stalking as murder or aggravated manslaughter. If a person dies while being stalked, the stalker could face murder charges (felony murder) under certain circumstances, or be charged with aggravated manslaughter. The bill also adds stalking as an aggravating factor in sentencing for any criminal offense, meaning courts must consider it when determining penalties. This affects cases where stalking leads to death and all criminal cases involving stalking.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific 1.89-mile segment of State Highway Route 35 in Laurence Harbor (from milepost 45.37 to 47.26) as the "James Francisco and Walter Schmidt Memorial Roadway" to honor two New Jersey veterans who died in the Vietnam War. It directly affects the highway segment and commemorates veterans James Francisco (killed 1969) and Walter Schmidt (killed 1966, Silver Star recipient). The bill prohibits using state funds for signage, requiring private donations or partnerships with nonprofits to cover costs for signs and maintenance. No policy changes or government funding shifts are involved - this is purely a commemorative naming resolution.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey National Guard members who have completed initial training and are in good standing to transfer their existing tuition benefit to a spouse or dependent child. The recipient must be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a New Jersey public college or university and have applied for all other available state and federal financial aid. The member can only transfer the benefit to one person, and the recipient must meet the same enrollment and financial aid application requirements as the Guard member themselves. This amendment modifies existing tuition benefits under N.J.S.18A:62-24 to expand eligibility to family members.

Maddy summaryS 4756, the "New Jersey Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act," requires health care professionals to provide the same standard of care to infants born alive after an abortion as they would to any newborn, ensuring immediate hospital transport. It defines "born alive" as an infant showing signs of life (breathing, heartbeat, or movement) regardless of how the birth occurred. Violating this duty is a third-degree crime (3-5 years in prison or $15,000 fine), while intentionally killing such an infant is a 30-year-to-life crime. The bill also mandates reporting failures to authorities (fourth-degree crime: up to 18 months jail or $10,000 fine) and protects mothers from conspiracy charges while allowing them to sue violators for damages.