Maddy summaryThis bill (A3739) makes it a fourth-degree crime in New Jersey to use devices that block or interfere with wireless communications, such as cell phones, Wi-Fi, GPS, or emergency services. It directly affects anyone using "signal jammers" (also called signal blockers or cell phone jammers), which prevent calls, texts, or emergency location signals. The law updates existing state law to explicitly prohibit interfering with radio communications licensed under federal law, including blocking cellular frequencies or using modified scanning receivers. These devices are already illegal under federal law, but this bill strengthens state enforcement by adding specific language to criminalize their use. The key provision ensures that jamming technology cannot disrupt public safety communications or commercial services.
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Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2946) makes it a crime to keep money received by mistake through digital payment apps like Venmo or Zelle after being notified of the error. Specifically, if someone receives an incorrect electronic payment from another person and fails to return the funds within 30 days of proper notification, they commit theft under state law. The law directly affects individuals using peer-to-peer payment services who accidentally receive more money than intended. It adds a clear 30-day deadline for returning erroneous payments and defines "payment processor" to cover these digital transactions. This is a specific amendment to existing theft statutes, not a broad policy change.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurance carriers offering managed care plans to ensure patients have reasonable and timely access to specific physician specialists at in-network hospitals. It mandates new regulations for the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to establish standards covering access to anesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists, emergency medicine physicians, and their supervised services. These rules will apply directly to insurance companies and aim to improve patient access to critical specialist care within existing network plans.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A5217, the "Ensuring Fairness in Cost-Sharing Amounts Act of 2024," requires health insurance carriers and pharmacy benefits managers to count third-party discounts and payments toward patients' out-of-pocket costs like copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. This means discounts from drug manufacturers, patient assistance programs, or other third parties must reduce what patients actually pay for covered health services, rather than being ignored by insurers. The bill prohibits insurers from using "accumulators" that would prevent these discounts from counting toward a patient's deductible. It applies to all health benefits plans in New Jersey and requires annual compliance certification from insurers and pharmacy benefits managers.
Maddy summaryACR 165 is a non-binding resolution urging New Jersey school districts to establish concussion management teams. These teams, made up of school-based professionals like nurses, psychologists, and athletic trainers, would support students recovering from concussions and help them safely return to classroom and sports activities. The resolution highlights that while school districts already have mandatory concussion policies, forming these teams would provide immediate, coordinated care during school hours. It directs copies to be sent to the Commissioner of Education and all school districts as a recommendation to enhance student care.
Maddy summarySCR 128 is a New Jersey Senate Concurrent Resolution (not a binding law) urging school districts to form concussion management teams. These teams would include school nurses, psychologists, athletic trainers, and administrators to support students recovering from concussions during school hours. The resolution highlights that such teams help coordinate care with families, ensure safe return to academics and sports, and provide immediate professional support - complementing existing district concussion policies. It does not create new legal requirements but encourages districts to adopt this approach using resources like the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey.
Maddy summaryS 3153 prohibits New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) from using federal benefits - such as Social Security or veterans' payments received by children in foster care - to cover the state's costs for their care. Instead, DCF must use these benefits to pay for the child's unmet needs (like medical or educational expenses) beyond what the state is obligated to cover, or save them in a dedicated account for the child's future. DCF is also required to apply for federal benefits on behalf of eligible children, notify the child, parents, and courts, and provide annual reports on how the funds are managed. This ensures children's federal benefits are preserved for their direct benefit rather than being used to reimburse the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $34 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to fund farmland preservation. It provides counties with base grants ($500,000-$1 million) and eligibility for competitive grants (up to $7.5 million per county) to cover up to 80% of costs for acquiring development easements - conservation agreements that permanently protect farmland from development. The funds target specific counties and municipalities approved for farmland preservation projects under existing state law. The bill redirects existing constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues (approved by voters in 2014) to the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund, with no new tax revenue required.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1125) makes it a crime for individuals to keep a payment sent to them by mistake through person-to-person payment apps (like Venmo or Zelle) after being formally asked to return it. It directly affects people who accidentally receive funds via these digital platforms and refuse to return them upon notification. The key provision amends New Jersey’s theft laws to require the return of such erroneous payments within a reasonable time after being notified, criminalizing the failure to do so. It does not apply to business transactions or payments made for goods/services. The bill focuses on correcting accidental transfers, not intentional fraud.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance carriers and pharmacy benefits managers in New Jersey to apply third-party discounts and payments toward an individual's cost-sharing amounts, including copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs for covered health benefits. It prohibits insurers from using "accumulators" that would prevent these discounts from reducing an individual's cost-sharing responsibility. The bill mandates that carriers must give credit for any cost-sharing amount paid by the enrollee or on their behalf by another party when calculating out-of-pocket costs. It also requires annual certification to the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to verify compliance with these requirements. The bill takes effect January 1, 2025, and applies to all health benefits plans offered or issued by carriers in New Jersey.