Maddy summaryS 2259 codifies existing regulations that allow a broader range of healthcare providers (including nurse practitioners and physician assistants trained since 2021) to perform abortions in New Jersey, while removing medically unnecessary facility requirements. The bill directly affects abortion providers and patients by eliminating outdated rules that increased costs and created barriers to care. Key provisions include updating statutory language to reflect current practices, removing facility requirements that don’t improve patient health, and ensuring consistent access to abortion services. This legislation secures existing access without expanding new provider types, focusing on streamlining current operational standards. The bill aims to make reproductive healthcare more affordable and accessible within New Jersey communities.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey employers from paying subminimum wages to workers based on age, disability, injury, or status as an apprentice, learner, or student. It eliminates the special permit system previously allowing employers to pay below the state minimum wage through the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD). The law directly affects workers with disabilities, students, apprentices, and others who were previously eligible for subminimum wages under these special permits. Employers must now pay all covered workers the full state minimum wage, ending the practice of authorizing lower pay through DOLWD licenses. The bill revises existing statutes to remove provisions that permitted this exception.
Maddy summaryThis bill bans the farming (aquaculture) of octopuses for human food in New Jersey. It prohibits anyone from raising octopuses in facilities for consumption and stops businesses from selling, possessing, or transporting farmed octopus. Violations can result in daily civil penalties up to $1,000, with each day of violation counted separately. The law specifically excludes wild-caught octopus and octopus raised solely for research unrelated to commercial production.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1638 provides tuition-free education benefits at public colleges and universities to New Jersey residents who serve in military reserve components (Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve). It allows eligible members to take up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free, after applying for all available federal and state education benefits, with the state reimbursing institutions for costs not covered by federal programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The bill also extends these benefits to surviving spouses and children of service members killed in action, and ensures reservists interrupted by deployment can resume tuition-free enrollment after returning from duty. All beneficiaries must maintain good academic standing and meet enrollment requirements at participating public institutions.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1644 establishes a loan program through the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide low-interest loans to small businesses (under 50 employees) for climate resiliency projects. The program targets businesses implementing projects like flood protection, water system upgrades, broadband expansion, or climate adaptation measures to reduce damage from events like hurricanes or sea-level rise. Loans will be issued from a dedicated revolving fund, replenished by repayments, with priority given to projects benefiting communities with climate vulnerability plans. Businesses must submit applications proving eligibility and outlining how funds will be used, and must provide annual financial reports until loans are repaid.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2188) aims to expand the categories of nonresident children that New Jersey school districts may enroll without requiring tuition payments. It amends existing law to broaden eligibility for tuition-free enrollment, directly affecting nonresident families seeking school placements in New Jersey districts. The bill's text provided focuses on defining terms like "at-risk pupils" and "district income" but does not specify the new category or exact enrollment mechanisms. Key policy changes cannot be detailed from the truncated context, as the substantive expansion of the nonresident enrollment category is not described in the provided text. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Education Committee.
Maddy summaryS 1622 creates a tax credit program for New Jersey employers who hire military spouses who are nonresidents of the state but live in New Jersey due to their spouse's military service (such as being transferred here, legally domiciled here, or moving on a permanent change-of-station). Employers receive a credit equal to 15% of wages for military spouses working 120-400 hours per year or 25% for 400+ hours, capped at $2,400 per employee annually. The credit reduces corporation business tax or gross income tax and requires employers to apply through the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. The bill directly supports military spouses facing employment disruptions from frequent military relocations.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities to ensure that the maximum hourly rate paid to self-directed employees (hired directly by eligible individuals or their representatives) matches the rate paid to contracted service providers for the same service, duration, and care level. It directly affects individuals receiving developmental disability services who choose self-directed care. The key mechanism sets the service provider rate (e.g., approximately $51/hour for high-acuity community support) as the new maximum cap for self-directed employees, replacing the current "reasonable and customary" range ($20-$25/hour). This aligns funding parity without changing the underlying service model.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Human Services to apply for federal Medicaid waivers to fund additional medical training slots focused on behavioral health care. If approved, it directs the Commissioner and the Secretary of Higher Education to create a process for medical education programs (both new and existing) to request and use Medicaid funds for these specific training positions. The bill directly affects graduate medical education programs seeking to expand behavioral health training capacity. It creates a concrete mechanism to leverage federal Medicaid funding for this purpose, without changing existing Medicaid rules. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey long-term care facilities (like nursing homes and assisted living centers) to let residents or their representatives designate up to two essential caregivers for in-person visits during health emergencies such as pandemics. Facilities must document these designations in residents' care plans, provide visitation time equal to normal circumstances, and post clear policies online about caregiver rights. It prohibits facilities from imposing stricter infection protocols on caregivers than on staff and mandates written information to residents about how to designate caregivers. The bill directly affects long-term care residents and their chosen caregivers, ensuring consistent access during crises.