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.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill would authorize New Jersey to create and issue special license plates featuring Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s emblem and slogan, available to vehicle owners who pay a $50 one-time application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee. The fees collected would fund a dedicated account to provide grants supporting the sorority's educational programs for youth and community initiatives like economic development and health services for disadvantaged groups. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission would design the plates in consultation with the sorority's Eastern Regional Director, with all administrative costs covered by the fees before funding is directed to the sorority.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill regulates how large investment firms (referred to as "institutional investors") can purchase and lease single-family homes, including townhouses. It defines "institutional investor" to exclude family-owned entities like family trusts, family limited liability companies, and nonprofits focused on affordable housing. The bill also includes provisions to support homebuyer assistance programs for low- and moderate-income residents. These changes apply to the ownership of single-family homes across New Jersey, aiming to limit large-scale investment activity in residential housing.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's driver's manual to include specific information about drivers' rights and responsibilities during police stops. It directly affects all new drivers and license renewers in the state, as they receive the manual when applying for permits or renewing licenses. The key provision mandates that the Motor Vehicle Commission's chief administrator, after consulting with the Attorney General, must add this content to the manual. The manual will explain what drivers should know during stops, such as understanding their legal rights and obligations without using legal jargon.
Maddy summaryS 1786 establishes a state grant program to fund the construction of new community centers in New Jersey municipalities. The program prioritizes towns lacking or underserved by existing centers relative to population, with the Department of Community Affairs administering applications and awarding funds. It requires the state to annually request at least $10 million for the program (plus 2% for administration) and seek additional federal, state, local, or private funding. Grants may only be used for building new centers, defined as facilities for recreation, meetings, or classes, such as indoor halls, fields, or classrooms.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Municipal Land Use Law to define certain energy storage projects as "inherently beneficial use." Energy storage projects eligible for incentives under the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities' programs - including the Successor Solar Incentive Program, Competitive Solar Incentive Program, and Garden State Energy Storage Program - would now automatically qualify as inherently beneficial. This change streamlines approval processes for these projects, as they would no longer require special permits or exceptions under local land use regulations. The policy affects municipalities, developers, and energy storage project proponents across New Jersey.
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 authorizes the State Treasurer to sell two parcels of surplus state-owned land in Mercer County to Mercer County for $1 each. The first parcel (1.3 acres on Lamberton Street in Trenton, previously used by the Department of Transportation) and the second parcel (26.3 acres at the Mercer County Fire Academy Dempster Training Center in Lawrence Township) will be transferred for public use. Both properties have been declared surplus to state needs, and the sale must be completed within nine months after the FY2026 budget is enacted. The properties must continue to be used for public purposes, with all existing federal restrictions on their use remaining in effect after the transfer.
Maddy summaryThis bill would amend New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) rules to include pay for extracurricular activities in teachers' pension calculations. Currently, additional compensation for duties like coaching sports teams, directing school plays, or supervising clubs is not counted toward pension benefits. The bill changes the definition of "compensation" to include remuneration for extracurricular activities beyond the regular school day or year. This change would affect teachers who receive extra pay for these activities, potentially increasing their future pension benefits. The bill applies to all teachers whose extracurricular duties qualify under the new definition.