Sen. Jon Bramnick

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Mass Violence Care Fund" to cover medical, mental health, and related expenses for victims of mass violence events when those costs aren't paid by insurance or other sources. It appropriates $10 million to the fund, which will be administered by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office to pay eligible expenses like medical bills, counseling, lost wages, and funeral costs for qualifying victims and their family members. The fund specifically excludes expenses covered by insurance or public programs and requires payments to be made at least three years after the event. It also creates a working group to develop eligibility rules before distributions begin.

Maddy summaryS 2601 ("Stephanie's Law") requires New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to create a publicly accessible domestic violence registry. The registry includes individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes, those with final restraining orders against them, or those found in contempt of such orders. It will contain detailed personal information (name, aliases, photo, vehicle details, address) for public search, with a process for removal if someone was wrongly listed. Law enforcement must search both this new public registry and the existing non-public central registry during arrests to check for active restraining orders. This bill aims to enhance public safety by providing accessible information about individuals with domestic violence histories.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 995) upgrades threats targeting prosecutors, law enforcement officers, or their family members to a second-degree crime under New Jersey law. It directly affects anyone who threatens to kill or cause physical harm to these individuals with the intent to cause immediate fear of harm, including threats against spouses, parents, children, or cohabiting relatives. Key provisions require offenders convicted of this crime to serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole (per the "No Early Release Act"), with penalties including 5-10 years in prison or fines up to $150,000. The bill modifies existing statutes (N.J.S.2C:12-3 and P.L.1997, c.117) to implement these sentencing requirements.

Maddy summaryS 1003 clarifies rules for New Jersey school board members who want to volunteer in their district's schools. It allows participation only if the member avoids direct management (like giving orders to staff or handling daily operations), doesn’t regularly direct students/resources, and isn’t directed by school staff. Before volunteering, members must get the superintendent’s approval and inform others they’re acting as individuals, not in their official board role. This bill codifies existing ethics guidance from the School Ethics Commission (Advisory Opinion A10-15) without creating new restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey vehicle owners to apply for special "Mental Health Awareness" license plates. Owners would pay a $50 application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee, with all fees deposited into a dedicated fund. The fund, managed by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, would use these monies exclusively for mental health research and programs across the state. The plates would be designed in consultation with mental health services and require no state funding for initial production costs.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 952) allows two or more independent physicians to jointly negotiate with health insurance carriers over non-fee-related contract terms affecting patient care. It directly affects physicians and insurers by enabling physician groups to collectively address issues like medical necessity definitions, referral standards, utilization review processes, and reimbursement methods. Key provisions establish a "joint negotiation representative" to discuss these terms, aiming to balance power dynamics where insurers currently dictate contracts unilaterally. The bill seeks to improve care quality, access, and healthcare infrastructure by reducing unfair payment terms and administrative barriers. It applies to all health insurance carriers offering plans in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryS 1754 increases annual payments from New Jersey's Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund to municipalities over two years. It directly affects all municipalities receiving these state funds, requiring them to reduce their property tax levies by the full amount of the increased aid. The bill mandates that any additional aid distributed under this fund must be subtracted from the municipality's annual property tax levy, preventing local governments from using the extra funds to raise taxes. This policy change ensures that state aid directly lowers the property tax burden on residents and businesses in affected municipalities.

Maddy summaryS 966 requires New Jersey's Governor to hold monthly public hearings in different parts of the state during any public health emergency declared under the Emergency Health Powers Act. These hearings would provide residents a direct opportunity to discuss the emergency's impacts and voice concerns, addressing current limitations in public input. The bill applies to all initial declarations and any extensions or modifications of such declarations, including those made before the law takes effect. This procedural change aims to increase transparency and public engagement during health emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies and local governments (like cities, counties, or departments) that use automated phone systems to answer public calls to offer callers a simple option: press "0" during business hours to speak directly with a human operator or leave a recorded message. It applies to any government entity already required to provide a public phone contact point but currently using automated menus. The key provision replaces automated navigation with a direct human connection option, eliminating the need to navigate complex phone trees. This change aims to improve public access to government services during standard working hours.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill removes a legal limitation that normally prevents lawsuits for pain and suffering (noneconomic damages) in car accidents. It specifically applies when accidents are caused by drivers convicted of drunk driving (DUI) or reckless operation. In these cases, injured parties can sue for noneconomic damages without needing to prove severe physical injury (like disfigurement or permanent disability). The change directly affects victims of accidents involving impaired drivers who face criminal charges. It modifies existing insurance law to hold negligent drivers more accountable in these specific circumstances.