Sen. Jon Bramnick

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals New Jersey's 76-year-old ban on self-service gasoline, allowing gas stations to offer self-service options. It requires stations with more than four dispensers to provide full-service fuel between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (when open), while permitting stations to offer self-service discounts for customers who pump their own gas. Gas stations must provide free attendant assistance for customers with disabilities (using a wheelchair symbol or placard) and offer either a calling device or accessibility decals at self-service pumps. The bill also prohibits franchisors from mandating stations operate exclusively as self-service or full-service and preempts local ordinances on self-service availability.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Laken Riley Act requires law enforcement to check the immigration status of non-citizens arrested for specific serious crimes (including violent offenses, aggravated felonies, or motor vehicle crimes causing injury) using federal immigration databases. If confirmed as unlawfully present in the U.S., these individuals must be held in pretrial detention unless the prosecutor proves otherwise, overriding New Jersey’s bail reform laws. The bill also mandates compliance with federal immigration detainer requests and repeals prior state policies restricting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It directly affects non-citizens facing certain criminal charges and local law enforcement agencies handling their cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey local governments - including municipalities, counties, school districts, and public agencies - from naming public property (such as roads, parks, schools, or buildings) after a foreign terrorist organization designated by the federal government. It requires these entities to remove all existing signs, plaques, or displays referencing such groups within 30 days of the law taking effect and to rename the property within 90 days. The state will reimburse local governments for the costs of removal and renaming, and violations will trigger daily deductions from state aid. The Division of Local Government Services must maintain an annual list of designated foreign terrorist organizations and lands they control, excluding sovereign nations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1825) establishes guidelines for health insurance plans regarding "step therapy" protocols, which require patients to try lower-cost medications before coverage is provided for a preferred medication selected by their doctor. It requires insurers to base these protocols on clinical guidelines developed by expert panels with conflict-of-interest safeguards, and creates a clear process for patients to request exceptions when step therapy would be harmful or ineffective. Insurers must grant or deny exception requests within 72 hours (24 hours in emergencies), and must report on exception requests and outcomes to the state insurance commissioner. This affects all health insurance carriers in New Jersey, including those offering SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid plans, as well as the patients and healthcare providers who use these plans.

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 summaryNew Jersey's A3540 establishes criminal penalties for creating or sharing deceptive audio or visual media (commonly called "deepfakes") that falsely depict someone doing something they didn't actually do. It makes it a crime to produce such media for unlawful purposes (like harassment, theft, or privacy violations) or to share it without clearly labeling it as fake. Individuals harmed by these deepfakes can sue for $1,000 per violation plus damages, attorney fees, and other remedies. The law exempts news media from penalties unless they knowingly share unmarked fake content created in violation of the bill.

Maddy summaryS 3587 upgrades retail theft offenses in New Jersey, including elevating "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime punishable by 10-20 years in prison. The bill creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales), which is a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail. It establishes a retail theft unit within the Department of Law and Public Safety to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, appropriating $1 million for this purpose. The bill also includes new requirements for gift card sales to prevent fraud, such as mandatory notices for retailers and packaging restrictions for both open- and closed-loop gift cards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurance carriers (including Medicaid and state health benefit plans) to base step therapy protocols - where patients must try lower-cost drugs first - on independent, evidence-based clinical guidelines developed by expert panels with conflict-of-interest safeguards. It mandates clear processes for patients to request exceptions when protocols risk harm or ineffectiveness (e.g., if a drug causes adverse reactions or previous treatments failed), with insurers required to approve or deny requests within 72 hours (24 hours in emergencies). Insurers must also report exception data to the state, including denial reasons and medical conditions involved. The law aims to balance cost management with patient safety by prioritizing clinical evidence and physician discretion.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time teachers can return to service under New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) after leaving their positions. Specifically, it increases the window from 10 to 15 years for teachers who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service when they voluntarily terminated. The change applies to those who haven't withdrawn their retirement contributions and wish to resume membership. This adjustment allows eligible teachers more time to return to teaching roles without losing pension eligibility. The policy directly affects public school teachers in New Jersey who leave employment under these specific circumstances.

Maddy summaryS 3098 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of medical conditions when supported by medical evidence. The bill defines biomarker testing as analysis of tissue, blood, or other biospecimens for biomarkers, and specifies coverage must be provided when tests align with FDA approvals, drug indications, CMS determinations, or nationally-recognized clinical guidelines. Insurers must process prior authorization requests within 72 hours for non-urgent cases and 24 hours for urgent cases, while minimizing disruptions like multiple biopsies. This requirement applies to all health insurance plans, including Medicaid, which must provide coverage with no cost-sharing for beneficiaries.