Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the cancellation period for home improvement contracts to seniors aged 65 and older. It allows these consumers to cancel any home improvement contract for any reason within five business days (instead of the current three days) after receiving the signed contract. Contractors must include a clear notice in the contract stating this extended window and require full refunds within 30 days of cancellation. The change directly affects seniors entering home improvement agreements over $500, providing them additional time to review contracts without penalty.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to conduct a special review of their master plans and development regulations before approving applications for "large warehouses" (defined as facilities storing goods for sale or redistribution, as later specified by the State Planning Commission). Municipal planning boards must complete this review within 90 days of receiving an application and deliver a report to the governing body, which then has 90 days to update regulations based on the review. The bill also delays the 45-day application completeness deadline until 91 days after the governing body receives the review report. Additionally, if a municipality hasn’t reassessed all property values in the past 60 months before approving a large warehouse, it must complete a full reassessment within 24 months after the warehouse opens.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program to allow married individuals who are victims of domestic abuse to claim the credit while filing as "married filing separately" instead of being required to file jointly. It directly affects New Jersey residents who are married, living apart from their spouse due to domestic abuse, and would otherwise lose eligibility for both federal and state EITC benefits by filing separately. The key provision exempts these taxpayers from the standard joint filing requirement if they meet three conditions: living apart from their spouse, being unable to file jointly due to domestic abuse, and indicating this on their tax return. This change ensures victims of domestic abuse can access existing tax credits without being forced to file jointly with their abuser.

Maddy summaryS 1948 requires New Jersey nursing homes to provide more detailed financial disclosures and ownership information. Nursing homes must now submit annual reports including balance sheets with equity details, itemized expenses for leases and contracts over $10,000, and comprehensive organizational charts showing parent companies, subsidiaries, and related parties providing services worth over $200,000 annually. For ownership transfers, applicants must submit detailed information about current and proposed owners, including organizational charts, and the Department of Health must post these applications online. The bill also requires owner-certified financial statements prepared by certified public accountants and increases penalties for noncompliance to up to $200 per day. These changes aim to increase transparency about nursing home ownership structures and financial relationships.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to reimburse volunteer firefighters for cancer screenings not covered by their insurance. It applies to all volunteer firefighters who have served at least five years, mandating screenings every three years for 11 specific cancers (including colon, lung, prostate, and skin). The state covers up to $1,250 per three-year period (adjusted for inflation), with no out-of-pocket costs for firefighters. Volunteer firefighting is treated as a pre-existing condition for coverage purposes, and annual state funding must be appropriated to cover these reimbursements. The bill takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryS 1983 would eliminate the requirement for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey to practice under physician collaboration or supervision, allowing them to provide care independently. This directly affects APNs - over 75% of whom specialize in primary care - and aims to improve healthcare access in underserved communities, including areas with physician shortages and among racial/ethnic minorities, low-income populations, and those facing transportation barriers. The bill cites that 24 states and the District of Columbia already permit full practice authority for APNs, and during pandemic waivers (Executive Order 112), no adverse incidents occurred while APNs practiced without restrictions. It states removing these barriers could reduce healthcare access disparities by over 38 percent, aligning New Jersey with other states to address chronic shortages in primary care services.

Maddy summaryS 2064 establishes the New Jersey Student Teacher Scholarship Program, providing up to $7,200 per semester to eligible students completing clinical practice in teacher preparation programs. The scholarship directly supports New Jersey residents enrolled full-time in approved educator preparation programs who are completing required clinical practice to earn a "certificate of eligibility with advanced standing." To qualify, students must be NJ residents, enrolled full-time in an approved program, and complete program steps for clinical practice. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will administer the program, collect annual demographic and effectiveness data, and may prioritize students seeking high-demand teaching fields like math or special education. The scholarship terminates for academic dismissal or program withdrawal but requires no repayment if terminated due to illness or family emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school bus safety laws to authorize using school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It changes penalties for drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses: violations captured by these systems will result in only a $250 civil penalty (instead of potential fines or jail time), with funds directed to municipalities and school districts for safety programs. The law applies to buses transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities when stopped to load/unload. It does not create new monitoring systems but specifies how existing systems can be used to enforce stop laws through civil penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and health insurance carriers in New Jersey to address harmful practices like "steering." It prohibits PBMs from directing patients to affiliated pharmacies (e.g., their own mail-order services), requiring them to charge health plans the same price they pay pharmacies, and banning excessive copays or withholding coverage for cheaper drug alternatives. PBMs engaging in steering face a 10% surcharge on prior year pharmacy reimbursements, with annual reporting to the state. The law directly affects PBMs, health insurers, and patients - especially in rural areas or managing chronic conditions - by aiming to lower drug costs and improve access to affordable care.