Maddy summaryS 4487 creates a new State Board of Midwifery to regulate midwifery practice in New Jersey, replacing the current system where midwifery was overseen by the State Board of Medical Examiners. The bill establishes licensing requirements for three types of midwives (certified midwives, certified nurse midwives, and certified professional midwives) and requires the new board to approve licensure applications, recognize midwifery certification programs, and set continuing education standards including bias training. The legislation also authorizes midwives to prescribe medications under certain conditions and requires health insurance providers to cover midwifery services and home births. This bill directly affects midwives seeking licensure, their patients, and healthcare insurers across New Jersey.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 4329, the "Political Donation Transparency Act," prohibits political candidates, committees, and parties from automatically enrolling donors in recurring contributions without explicit permission. It requires that any recurring donation must be initiated only after the donor actively consents and receives clear details about the contribution's frequency, amount, and nature. Violations are punishable as a fourth-degree crime, carrying potential penalties of up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The bill directly affects all entities soliciting political contributions in New Jersey, aiming to prevent unintentional recurring donations. The Election Law Enforcement Commission may establish additional rules to enforce these requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's school district property tax cap law to require that the tax levy growth limitation be the greater of the Consumer Price Index increase or 2%. It appropriates $67.9 million to provide additional state school aid to school districts that would experience a reduction in state aid during the 2025-2026 school year compared to the 2024-2025 school year. The funding ensures these districts receive at least the same total state aid amount as the previous year. Approximately 200 school districts are expected to benefit from this targeted support.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "funeral arranger" license category in New Jersey, allowing individuals to arrange funerals without needing to be trained in embalming. Currently, New Jersey's 70-year-old Mortuary Science Act requires funeral professionals to be licensed as "practitioners of mortuary science," which includes proficiency in both funeral directing and embalming. The new license would enable people who don't want to learn embalming (for religious, cultural, environmental, or personal reasons) to enter the funeral services profession. The bill modifies licensing requirements, including examinations that exclude embalming content, while maintaining the existing requirements for mortuary science practitioners. This change aims to better accommodate New Jersey's diverse population and increasing preference for cremation or burial without embalming.
Maddy summaryBill A4163 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of diseases when supported by medical evidence such as FDA approvals, drug labels, or clinical guidelines. The bill applies to all health insurance plans including individual, group, Medicaid, and health maintenance organization contracts. Insurers must provide coverage without causing unnecessary disruption (like multiple biopsies) and must make prior authorization decisions within 24 hours for urgent requests or 72 hours for non-urgent requests. This ensures patients can access precision medical testing that's clinically supported without excessive administrative barriers.
Maddy summaryAJR 217 is a commemorative resolution designating April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in New Jersey. It honors Paul Robeson, a Rutgers University scholar, athlete, actor, singer, and civil rights activist born in Princeton, NJ, who broke racial barriers in the 1920s-1930s and advocated for global justice. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day through activities and programs. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or affect specific groups but formally commemorates Robeson's legacy.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires construction permit applicants in New Jersey to disclose the anticipated funding sources and amounts for their projects when applying for permits. It directly affects developers and builders seeking construction permits, mandating this disclosure as part of their initial application. Before receiving a certificate of occupancy, applicants must either certify the accuracy of their submitted funding details or provide updated information. The Commissioner of Community Affairs must create specific rules within 180 days to implement these disclosure requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pilot program offering tax credits to New Jersey commercial farms that donate edible fruits and vegetables to local charities. Specifically, farm operators can claim a 50% credit against their state business tax or income tax for the wholesale value of donations (capped at $5,000 per year), provided they obtain written documentation from the charity verifying the donation details. The program runs from 2024 through 2028, with an annual limit of $100,000 in total credits across all participating farms. It directly affects commercial farm operators who donate produce to qualifying charities, including 501(c)(3) organizations and food banks within New Jersey.
Maddy summarySJR 46 designates April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in New Jersey to honor the life and legacy of Paul Leroy Robeson, who was born in Princeton on April 9, 1898. The bill requires the Governor to annually issue a proclamation encouraging public officials, organizations, and citizens to observe the day with appropriate activities. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws or affect policies - it solely commemorates Robeson’s achievements as a scholar, athlete, actor, singer, and civil rights advocate. It directly affects New Jersey residents through state recognition of Robeson’s historical contributions.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1635) changes New Jersey's licensing system for funeral professionals by creating two distinct licenses: "Practitioner of Mortuary and Embalming Science" (requiring embalming skills) and "Practitioner of Mortuary Science" (focusing solely on funeral directing without embalming). It directly affects funeral directors and embalmers seeking licensure, removing the current requirement that all professionals must be licensed in both fields. The key provision allows individuals to pursue careers in funeral directing without mandatory embalming training, addressing workforce shortages and accommodating diverse consumer preferences. This change aims to increase entry into the profession by reducing barriers for those who do not wish to practice embalming.