Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryS 241 requires New Jersey's Eagleton Institute of Politics to add workers' compensation judges and administrative law judges to its existing database of appointed state officials. This database already includes information on race, gender identity/expression, title, term, and appointing authority for officials serving on state boards, commissions, and authorities. The bill amends prior law to explicitly include these judicial roles in the database maintained by Rutgers University. The change affects only the data collection process, not the functioning of the courts or compensation system.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1826) requires online platforms primarily distributing sexually explicit material (defined as "obscene material" under New Jersey law) to verify users are at least 18 years old before accessing such content. It applies specifically to "sexually oriented online entities" where more than one-third of revenue, user accounts, or content consists of obscene material - such as dedicated adult platforms or sites with significant adult content. The law mandates using approved age verification methods, including New Jersey’s driver’s license system, to confirm users’ age before access. It does not apply to general social media or non-explicit content, focusing solely on platforms meeting the defined threshold for obscene material. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill S 257 would exempt individuals receiving unemployment compensation benefits or whose benefits ended within the past six months from paying application and appeal fees for civil service job exams. Specifically, it removes the $25 application fee for open competitive exams and the $20 appeal fee for these individuals, as outlined in amended Section 1 of P.L.1992, c.197. The bill directly affects unemployed New Jersey residents currently or recently receiving unemployment benefits, removing a financial barrier to applying for state government jobs. Fees collected under this exemption would continue to fund civil service operations as specified in the existing law. This is a policy change to improve access to state employment for unemployed residents, not a change to unemployment benefits themselves.

Maddy summaryThe "Patient and Provider Protection Act" regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) in New Jersey, directly affecting PBMs, pharmacies (both contracted and independent), and patients who use prescription drugs. It requires PBMs to establish conflict-free committees managing drug formularies, ensures generic drugs are not disadvantaged over higher-cost alternatives, and bans commission-based PBM compensation in favor of flat fees. The bill mandates PBMs to prioritize long-term patient health outcomes, prohibits misleading marketing to steer patients to network pharmacies, and sets reimbursement rules: contracted pharmacies must be paid at least their acquisition cost, while independent pharmacies receive rates no more than 5% below the lowest contracted rate (but not below cost). It also bans contracts conditioning drug rebates on excluding generic drugs and prevents PBMs from restricting independent pharmacies from matching network prices and quantities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to notify employees who are likely to lose their jobs due to privatization at least 180 days before releasing requests for proposals or contracts for services or assets valued at $100,000 or more annually. The notice must detail the affected service or asset, include relevant documents, and inform employees they can submit a two-year business plan to take over the service themselves. Agencies must review these employee plans within 60 days, allowing up to 30 days for revisions if rejected. The law directly affects state employees at risk of termination from privatized services and creates a structured process for employee-led operational transitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 267) requires New Jersey state, county, municipal, and school district agencies to use a competitive bidding process for contracts involving technical and professional services (excluding architectural/engineering services covered under separate law). It mandates that agencies publicly advertise opportunities, evaluate firms based on qualifications and experience (not just price), and select at least three qualified firms for negotiation. Firms must submit a current qualifications statement with a $100 fee to be considered, and agencies must negotiate with the top-ranked firms before awarding contracts at "fair and reasonable" compensation. The law applies directly to government agencies procuring these specific services and replaces current negotiation-only practices for such contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to allow potable water well construction projects on preserved farmland to qualify for soil and water conservation grants administered by the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC). It directly affects landowners enrolled in farmland preservation programs or holding development easements under the Farmland Assessment Act. The key change adds "potable water well construction" to the existing list of eligible projects, which previously included irrigation systems, erosion control, and drainage systems. To qualify, projects must be part of a farmland conservation plan and maintained for at least three years. This adjustment expands access to state grants for water infrastructure on protected agricultural land.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's public pension and annuity funds (like retirement accounts for state employees) from investing in companies that manufacture or wholesale tobacco products. It requires the state to divest all existing investments in such tobacco companies within three years of the bill's effective date. The bill also mandates regular reports to the legislature detailing the divestment progress and analyzing the financial impact on pension funds. These provisions directly affect state retirement fund managers and tobacco industry companies.

Maddy summaryS 1220 requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to study indoor air quality in public schools within one year of the bill's effective date. The DOH must test for specific contaminants like carbon dioxide, VOCs, and fine particulate matter across a representative sample of schools (covering diverse regions, age levels, and building ages), then compile a statewide list of common contaminants and develop practical guidance for schools to reduce or mitigate these pollutants. This guidance will be shared with the Department of Education and posted online for public access. The bill directly affects public schools by providing them with science-based tools to address indoor air quality, while requiring the DOH, DEP, and DOE to collaborate on implementation.

Maddy summaryS 213, designated as George Floyd's Law, makes it a first-degree crime for law enforcement officers to knowingly choke another person by pressing on the throat, windpipe, or carotid artery, hindering breathing or blood flow to the brain. This directly affects New Jersey law enforcement officers who use such tactics during arrests. The bill establishes penalties of 10-20 years in prison, a $200,000 fine, or both for violating this provision. It follows New Jersey’s 2020 ban on chokeholds (except in deadly force situations) and references George Floyd’s death, where a Minneapolis officer used a similar restraint.