Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryS 4964 expands New Jersey's "Daniel's Law" to protect victim support advocates and victim support care providers by prohibiting the online disclosure of their home addresses and unpublished phone numbers. The bill makes it illegal for anyone to knowingly post, share, or make available this personal information online with the intent to expose these professionals to harassment or harm. Violations would be punishable as crimes (fourth degree for reckless acts, third degree for intentional acts). This directly affects individuals working in victim support roles by adding them to the list of protected persons under the law, alongside judges, law enforcement, and others.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey law enforcement and anyone using automated license plate readers (ALPRs) from sharing ALPR data with out-of-state agencies for investigations targeting reproductive health services legal in New Jersey. It specifically bans sharing information related to services like pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion (where permitted under NJ law) to prevent cross-state enforcement actions. Law enforcement must obtain a written assurance from other states that the data won’t be used to penalize providers or patients for these legal services. Violations carry civil penalties up to $5,000 for repeat offenses, and the bill defines "reproductive health care services" broadly to include all related medical, surgical, and counseling support. The law directly affects ALPR users, NJ law enforcement, and out-of-state agencies seeking to investigate reproductive health access within New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey retailers selling cigarettes or vapor products to undergo two annual inspections by health officials to enforce flavor restrictions. It directly affects businesses selling flavored cigarettes (except tobacco, clove, or menthol) or flavored vapor products (like fruit or candy flavors), which are prohibited under existing law. Inspectors must conduct follow-up checks within three months if a violation is found, and penalties include fines up to $1,000 per cigarette violation or $2,000 per vapor product violation, paid to the local municipality. The inspections aim to ensure compliance with bans on non-tobacco flavors in these products.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey Medicaid and the Plan First program to cover fertility preservation services when medically necessary treatments (such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy) could cause iatrogenic infertility. It defines "iatrogenic infertility" as fertility impairment from medical treatments affecting reproductive organs, and specifies coverage for standard procedures like sperm, egg, embryo, and ovarian tissue storage. The bill prohibits denying coverage based on age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or marital status. It would provide low-income individuals with access to fertility preservation services that are often cost-prohibitive. The bill applies to Medicaid beneficiaries and Plan First participants facing potential iatrogenic infertility from medically necessary treatments.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new state entities: the Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission (an 18-member body) and the Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency (within the Department of Health). It requires all New Jersey hospitals to publicly report detailed pricing data for services like inpatient care and emergency visits, and sets annual cost growth targets for healthcare entities. Hospitals failing to comply with transparency rules face civil penalties of $10 per day per bed, and are prohibited from collecting medical debt from patients until they comply. The bill appropriates up to $5 million to fund these new offices and their operations, aiming to increase price transparency and reduce healthcare cost growth.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Green Acres funds from being used to purchase, install, or replace artificial turf fields. It directly affects municipalities, school districts, and state agencies that rely on these funds for recreational field projects. The law specifically bans the use of Green Acres money for any artificial turf project, citing health and environmental concerns related to chemicals like PFAS and microplastics found in artificial turf. It does not ban artificial turf itself, only restricts state funding for such installations. The policy change takes immediate effect.

Maddy summaryS 3807 establishes a Veterans Suicide Prevention Commission to coordinate state services and prevent veteran suicides. The commission, composed of 13 members including veterans, agency representatives, and experts in veteran care, will review state programs, develop strategies, and track progress to improve support for veterans, service members, and their families. It will issue annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, conduct research and training, and enhance coordination among state, county, and local agencies. The goal is to strengthen veterans' transition to civilian life through better-coordinated care and services.

Maddy summaryS 1518 establishes requirements for public agencies considering contracting out services previously provided by public employees. The bill mandates competitive bidding for contracts over $500,000 (for local agencies) or $1 million (for state agencies), requiring contractors to maintain current service quality, not increase public fees, and pay wages/benefits at least equal to those of displaced public employees. Agencies must demonstrate cost savings compared to public provision, provide quarterly reports on contractor compliance, and prepare transition plans for displaced workers. The Office of the State Comptroller reviews contracts for compliance, and the State Auditor conducts annual post-audits to verify actual cost savings and service quality.

Maddy summaryS 4798 prohibits the sale, manufacture, and distribution of apparel containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) starting two years after the law takes effect. It applies to everyday clothing (like shirts, athletic wear, and school uniforms), outdoor gear, and rainproof apparel, but excludes military protective equipment. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under New Jersey law, with penalties including fines up to $20,000 per offense. The law directly affects retailers and manufacturers selling apparel in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's Emergency Medical Technician Training Fund to clarify eligibility for volunteer EMTs seeking certification or recertification. It expands the definition of "public or private institution of higher education" to include out-of-state schools and clarifies that EMTs receiving length-of-service awards remain eligible for fund reimbursement. The bill also updates the requirement for maintaining "volunteer in good standing" status to 12 service calls or 150 duty hours annually during the initial three-year certification period. Training agencies providing certification or recertification for volunteer EMTs will continue to receive direct reimbursement from the fund.