Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and certain state facilities (including developmental centers and psychiatric hospitals) in New Jersey. It requires specific ratios, such as 1 nurse per 5 medical/surgical patients, 1 per 2 in emergency critical care, and 1 per 1 in burn units. Facilities must implement acuity-based staffing systems that exceed these minimums, considering patient needs and staff skills, while maintaining nurse float pools. The regulations cannot reduce existing staffing levels and apply to all patient units covered by the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-funded rebate program to help New Jersey residents reduce microfiber pollution from laundry. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a program offering up to $100 rebates for purchasing eligible microfiber washing machine filters or replacement filters, covering up to the filter's cost. The program, funded by $2.5 million from the General Fund, will be administered by the DEP, which must determine eligible products, application processes, and report annually on the program's effectiveness, including rebates issued and pollution reduction. The bill directly affects residents who buy qualifying filters and aims to minimize microfiber pollution entering waterways from household laundry.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1005 prohibits businesses from charging different prices for substantially similar products or services based solely on the gender of the intended consumer, targeting practices often called the "pink tax." It directly affects retailers selling consumer goods and specific service providers like tailors, salons, and dry cleaners. The bill requires these businesses to clearly disclose all standard service prices in writing (posted in 14-point bold type) and display a prominent 24-point sign stating gender-based price discrimination is illegal. Price differences based on gender-neutral factors like materials, labor, or manufacturer pricing remain permitted.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1013) prohibits condominium associations from charging individual unit owners or groups of owners for insurance deductibles when repairing common elements (like hallways, roofs, or shared facilities). It directly affects condo associations and their unit owners by requiring associations to cover these deductible costs themselves, not pass them to residents. The key provision amends existing law to explicitly state associations "shall not pass the cost of an insurance deductible to a unit owner" for repairs to common areas not intentionally damaged by the owner. This changes how associations handle insurance costs for shared property maintenance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1031) increases accidental death benefits for firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, hazardous materials responders, and fire instructors who die in the line of duty while active PERS members. It raises the survivor spouse pension from 50% to 70% of the member’s last-year compensation (with a $50,000 minimum), increases children’s benefits from 25% to 70% if no spouse survives, and adds state-paid health insurance premiums for surviving spouses and children. The benefits are retroactive to January 1, 2021, with lump-sum payments for past differences between old and new benefit amounts. The bill aligns PERS accidental death benefits with the existing Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to help New Jersey's public buildings become more energy-efficient. It allows the state's Board of Public Utilities to transfer up to $20 million annually from energy efficiency fees to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, which will provide loans and financial assistance for projects like solar panels, insulation, and efficient heating systems. State agencies, local governments, and school districts must first complete an energy assessment proving the project will save more on energy costs than it costs over 10 years or the equipment's lifespan before receiving funding. The program requires projects to demonstrate cost savings through lower energy bills, directly benefiting public entities that own or operate buildings across the state.

Maddy summarySCR 44 is a non-binding resolution urging New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt drinking water standards for 14 specific contaminants, including perchlorate (used in explosives), radon-222 (a radioactive carcinogen), and formaldehyde (used in embalming). The resolution directs the DEP to implement standards previously recommended by the New Jersey Drinking Water Quality Institute (DWQI) since 2005, which the DEP has not adopted despite the DWQI's scientific assessments. These contaminants are present in New Jersey's water supply and pose potential health risks, as noted in the 1983 Safe Drinking Water Act amendments. The resolution serves as a formal request for the DEP to prioritize these standards to better protect public health.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 264 requires all individual pet groomers to obtain a state license (age 18+, moral character, and passing a practical/written exam) and mandates that pet grooming businesses register with the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. The bill establishes licensing for training schools, sets facility standards (including separate caging, sanitation, 24/7 surveillance cameras, and 60-day video retention), and requires businesses to maintain incident reports for injuries, illnesses, or escapes. Registration fees must cover administrative costs, and businesses must provide proof of liability insurance. This directly affects pet groomers, training schools, and all businesses offering pet grooming services in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to provide victims of domestic violence, or their legal representatives, with copies of specific records (including photos, bodycam footage, 911 transcripts, and police reports) within 10 calendar days of a request, at no cost. If records cannot be provided within that timeframe due to ongoing investigations or safety concerns, agencies must redact the records or obtain a court-issued protective order, or provide copies within 24 hours once available. The Family Part of the Superior Court has authority to enforce these requests and issue protective orders to limit disclosure, with violations subject to criminal penalties. The law applies to records related to incidents covered under New Jersey’s Domestic Violence Act (P.L.1991, c.261).

Maddy summaryS 1018 establishes a new third-degree criminal offense in New Jersey for knowingly filing false reports or providing false information to law enforcement with the intent to falsely implicate an officer in a crime, offense, or professional misconduct that would trigger disciplinary action. This directly affects individuals who submit fabricated reports targeting police officers, separate from existing laws against false reports about other crimes (subsection b) or falsely incriminating others (subsection a). The bill specifies that violating this provision carries penalties of 3-5 years in prison, up to $15,000 in fines, or both, and clarifies that this offense does not merge with other related convictions. It amends N.J.S.2C:28-4 to create this distinct criminal category, effective immediately upon enactment.