Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryThis bill allows bingo halls, raffle organizers, and penny auction venues in New Jersey to accept credit cards, debit cards, or other electronic payments for tickets or participation. It requires the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission to create regulations enabling this change, which is currently not permitted under existing law. The policy directly affects licensed operators of these games and participants who prefer digital payment methods. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, updating payment options for these specific legalized games of chance.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1209, the "Prohibition Against Gender-Based Pricing Discrimination Act," bans businesses from charging different prices for substantially similar products or services based on gender. It specifically prohibits price differences for items like clothing or personal care products where the only difference is marketing toward a gender (e.g., women's vs. men's versions of identical items), excluding minor differences in color or packaging. The bill requires salons, tailors, and dry cleaners to clearly display pricing in 14-point bold text and provide written price lists upon request, along with a visible 24-point sign stating the law. It explicitly allows price differences for gender-neutral reasons like material costs or tariffs. The law applies to all businesses selling goods or services in New Jersey.

Maddy summarySCR 28 is a concurrent resolution urging the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt drinking water standards for 14 contaminants recommended by the New Jersey Drinking Water Quality Institute (DWQI). It specifically references contaminants like perchlorate (used in explosives), radon-222 (a radioactive carcinogen), and formaldehyde (used in embalming), which the DWQI has recommended since 2005-2009 but the DEP has not adopted. The resolution highlights that the DEP has not acted on these recommendations despite the 1983 Safe Drinking Water Act requiring it to establish standards for such contaminants. This resolution has no legal force but formally requests the DEP consider these science-based standards to protect public health.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 230) requires all state, county, municipal, and campus law enforcement agencies to provide cultural diversity training to officers every five years using state-developed materials. It mandates that each agency create a cultural diversity action plan including community outreach strategies and partnerships with diverse groups - such as organizations focused on preventing discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation - to build positive police-community relationships. Agencies must submit these plans to the Attorney General within one year of the bill's effective date and every three years thereafter, with the Attorney General periodically assessing progress on training and plan implementation. The goal is to collaboratively address community safety concerns and foster safer neighborhoods through improved community engagement.

Maddy summaryS 690 would require New Jersey's four-year public colleges to mandate that all new full-time undergraduate students complete a climate change course before graduating. The course must dedicate at least 30% of its content to climate change and be offered across multiple academic disciplines, such as engineering or business. This requirement applies only to students enrolling at these institutions on or after the law's effective date. The bill does not specify which courses must be offered but directs colleges to identify existing courses meeting the 30% content threshold.

Maddy summaryS 3129 creates a $750,000 emergency grant program within New Jersey's Department of Education to support public school co-curricular activities, such as debate clubs, theater, and music programs, which operate outside regular school hours and supplement students' academic experiences. School districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools can apply for grants to fund specific activities, with priority given to those most impacted by pandemic-related revenue losses. The program requires applicants to specify which activities the funds will support, and the Commissioner of Education determines grant amounts and eligibility. This legislation directly affects public schools and their students by providing emergency financial support for non-academic, extracurricular programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover pelvic floor physical therapy during the postpartum period (defined as one year after childbirth). It applies to hospital service contracts, medical service contracts, health service contracts, individual and group health insurance policies, health benefits plans, and state-purchased health plans. The coverage must be provided at the same level as for other medical conditions, without additional restrictions. This directly affects all health insurance providers operating in New Jersey and New Jersey residents seeking postpartum pelvic floor therapy.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 683) authorizes New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to approve sites for small modular reactors (SMRs), which are compact nuclear reactors under 300 megawatts. It requires SMR sites to be in municipalities with existing nuclear facilities and gives BPU authority to override local opposition. The bill also allows SMR operators to store used nuclear fuel on-site until a national waste repository is established, while requiring the BPU to create a financial incentive program for SMR construction within one year. It directly affects nuclear energy developers, local governments, and state agencies managing nuclear safety and infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Veterans Suicide Prevention Commission to coordinate New Jersey's state agencies and improve support services for veterans. The commission, composed of 11 members including veterans, mental health experts, and agency representatives, will assess existing programs and develop strategies to prevent veteran suicides. It requires the commission to coordinate efforts across state departments, track service progress, and increase public awareness of available resources. The bill directly affects veterans, service members, and their families by aiming to strengthen mental health support systems through better agency collaboration.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets statewide targets to reduce organic waste sent to landfills: a 50% reduction from 2016 levels by 2027 and a 75% reduction by 2032. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create regulations within 18 months to achieve these goals, which may mandate local governments to set waste-reduction rules for businesses and impose reasonable penalties for noncompliance. The regulations must also ensure at least 20% of recoverable edible food is redirected from disposal by 2035. Local governments may charge fees to cover costs of implementing these rules, and the DEP must report progress by July 2027.