Sen. Andrew Zwicker

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2175) requires major social media companies (with at least 5 million global users) to provide New Jersey residents a 24-hour toll-free phone number to report account fraud, such as unauthorized access. Companies must publish this number in security emails sent to NJ account holders and on their platform's homepage or help page. Failing to comply would violate New Jersey's consumer fraud law, risking fines up to $20,000 per violation. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.352.

Maddy summaryS 1657 establishes New Jersey's "Energy Infrastructure Public-Private Partnerships Program" to help public entities like schools, hospitals, and emergency facilities upgrade energy infrastructure through private partnerships. The bill allows these entities to enter 25-year contracts for energy projects (such as solar, wind, and storage systems) under existing public contracting laws, without requiring taxpayer funds. Key provisions include authorizing private companies to finance, build, and manage energy projects that improve resilience against weather events, reduce costs, and support renewable energy expansion. This directly affects critical facilities needing modernized energy systems while leveraging private capital to meet the state's decarbonization goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3006) would require New Jersey Medicaid to cover fertility preservation services (like egg or sperm freezing) for individuals who develop infertility as a direct result of medically necessary treatments, such as cancer therapy. It would specifically apply to New Jersey Medicaid beneficiaries who experience iatrogenic infertility (infertility caused by medical care) due to treatments deemed necessary by their healthcare providers. The bill amends existing Medicaid coverage rules to add these fertility preservation services to the list of covered medical benefits under the program. The bill was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Senate Health Committee for review.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 46) is a symbolic legislative statement condemning all forms of anti-Semitism and rejecting justifications for anti-Jewish hatred. It specifically references rising anti-Semitic incidents in New Jersey - including 370 reported cases in 2021, including 44 at Jewish institutions and 82 in schools - to underscore the urgency of protecting Jewish communities. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally expresses the New Jersey Legislature’s opposition to anti-Semitism, citing historical context and recent violence (like the Pittsburgh synagogue attack). It applies broadly to all residents and institutions in New Jersey, emphasizing that anti-Semitism violates constitutional principles of tolerance and religious freedom.

Maddy summaryS 1512 removes public bidding requirements for jointure commissions (special school transportation entities) that provide school bus services using buses they own or lease to local school districts. Currently, these commissions must bid for services to districts not already members as of January 1, 2004. The bill allows them to provide such services directly without competitive bidding, aligning their process with other existing public transportation providers under the same ownership rules. This change applies specifically to commissions already operating bus-based transportation services for member districts.

Maddy summaryS 1641 requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to track and publicly report all natural disaster-related spending by state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, and other local governments. It mandates categorizing spending into four specific areas: preparedness (pre-event planning), mitigation (reducing future damage), response (immediate emergency actions), and recovery (restoring communities). The DCA must publish an annual, plain-language summary online showing funding sources and reimbursement status, and requires local governments to include this data in their standard budget reports. This bill directly affects all state and local entities receiving disaster funds, aiming to increase transparency about how public money is used after disasters.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2377) expands accidental death benefits under New Jersey's State Police Retirement System to cover recruits who die during required pre-service training or related complications. It directly affects surviving spouses, children, or parents of these recruits, who previously could not access benefits because recruits weren't sworn officers until after training. The bill mandates a minimum $50,000 benefit for surviving spouses, with calculated payments (70% for children if no spouse, 25-40% for parents) based on the recruit's final salary if no spouse or children survive. Benefits are retroactive to the date of death, with survivors having 12 months from the bill's enactment to apply.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to appropriate at least $10 million annually from the state General Fund to the Department of Health for Public Health Priority Funding, starting July 1 after the bill takes effect. It directly affects local health departments by restoring a dedicated, unrestricted state funding source they previously relied on (before it was eliminated in 2011), which previously covered about 15% of their total funding. The bill reinstates the "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977," allowing local health departments to use these funds flexibly to address community health needs, emerging threats, and other priorities - unlike current funding, which is often restricted to specific purposes like vaccines. This policy change would shift funding away from reliance on property taxes and narrowly designated federal/state grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 5-year Nuclear Energy Apprenticeship Pilot Program under New Jersey's Department of Labor, appropriating $1 million to fund accredited apprenticeship programs in nuclear energy sectors. It provides grants to eligible organizations (like businesses, schools, or nonprofits) that partner with industry to train workers in nuclear infrastructure, utilities, and radioactive waste handling, with priority for programs serving underserved communities. Grantees must demonstrate industry partnerships, financial contributions, and outreach plans, and must report annually on participant enrollment, completion, and job placement. The program requires the Department to evaluate outcomes yearly and recommend renewal or expansion based on workforce gap data.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows registered medical cannabis patients in New Jersey to grow their own cannabis at home for personal medical use. It specifically authorizes cultivation within a patient's residence by the patient or their designated caregiver, as defined in the law. The provision applies only to individuals already registered under New Jersey's medical cannabis program and does not permit commercial cultivation or distribution. The bill amends existing statutes to clarify that home cultivation is permitted under the medical program, distinct from licensed dispensary operations. It does not create new registration requirements but expands access for existing registered patients and caregivers.