Maddy summaryS 4509 provides additional licensing eligibility for businesses involved in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of intoxicating hemp products in New Jersey. The bill amends definitions to clarify what constitutes intoxicating hemp products, establishes new licensing categories, and permits out-of-state hemp entities to apply for New Jersey licenses if their home state's standards are substantially similar. It requires criminal background checks for applicants, provides a 120-day transition period for current license holders to comply with new requirements, and establishes tax and excise fee structures to fund social equity programs. The legislation aims to create a regulated market for intoxicating hemp products while addressing previous legal challenges to New Jersey's regulatory framework.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 4832 (the "Municipal Homelessness Trust Fund Act"), allows New Jersey municipalities to create dedicated trust funds to address homelessness. Municipalities may establish these funds by adding up to $3 in fees to building permits, business licenses, fines, or other existing collections, with funds used exclusively for permanent housing solutions. Key provisions require municipalities to adopt a "homeless housing plan" (developed with community input) and use trust fund money for: acquiring/rehabilitating permanent housing, rental assistance vouchers, supportive services for housed individuals, and prevention programs for at-risk families. Funds cannot cover general municipal debt, and annual reports on fund usage must be submitted to the state Department of Community Affairs. The bill directly affects local governments and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey municipalities to create "Municipal Homelessness Trust Funds" and adopt "homeless housing plans" to address local homelessness. Municipalities can collect up to $3 in additional fees from building permits, business licenses, fines, or other fees to fund these trusts. Funds must be used exclusively for permanent affordable housing, rental vouchers, supportive services, and prevention programs for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with projects required to reduce homelessness measurably and include outcome tracking. Municipalities must consult a community task force including people with lived homelessness experience and report annual fund usage to the state Department of Community Affairs.
Maddy summaryThis bill would merge New Jersey City University (NJCU) with Kean University, transferring all of NJCU's assets, campuses, and functions to Kean University. It ensures Kean University receives all state funding, grants, and resources previously allocated to NJCU, including institutional stabilization aid for three years, and provides state assistance to help Kean manage NJCU's existing debt. The merger would make Kean University responsible for all NJCU operations, with all references to NJCU in law being replaced by references to Kean University. It also addresses employee transitions, requiring NJCU employees to become new employees of Kean University while retaining certain benefits and civil service protections.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A5052) requires New Jersey health insurers, Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare), and state health benefit programs to cover screening, prevention, and treatment services for children's behavioral health issues without requiring a formal mental health diagnosis. It establishes "at-risk diagnosis" as a billing mechanism, allowing providers to use Social Determinants of Health Z-codes (instead of standard mental health codes) for preventive care based on factors like family circumstances. Coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical services for children under 18. The law applies to all health plans, Medicaid contracts, and state employee health programs effective 90 days after enactment.
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 summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey to join a multi-state compact enabling physician assistants (PAs) licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects PAs seeking to work across state lines and healthcare systems needing to recruit PAs more flexibly. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses ("Compact Privilege"), requirements for states to maintain criminal background checks and report disciplinary actions, and ensuring PAs practice under the jurisdiction of the state where the patient is located. The compact aims to improve access to medical services, particularly benefiting military families who relocate frequently.
Maddy summaryS 2791 requires New Jersey state agencies to offer paper checks as an option for three types of payments: state employee compensation, unemployment insurance benefits, and state tax refunds. State employees can request a paper check in writing, and the State Treasurer must honor that choice for net pay. Unemployment claimants must receive written notice of payment options (paper check, debit card, or direct deposit) and sign a form to select or change their method. Taxpayers due a state tax refund must also be given the option to receive it as a paper check. The bill takes effect immediately.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows a request for guardianship to be filed up to six months before a minor turns 18, if the minor is expected to need a legal guardian at age 18. The guardianship arrangement would only become effective on the minor's 18th birthday, preventing gaps in legal protection during the transition to adulthood. It also requires that such requests cannot be withdrawn without proof the minor is deceased or has decision-making capacity, which can be shown through testimony rather than medical evidence. This change aims to streamline the process for minors who require ongoing guardianship support after turning 18.
Maddy summaryThis bill sets minimum coverage requirements for motor vehicle liability insurance in New Jersey, increasing the required amounts for bodily injury and property damage over time. For bodily injury to one person, policies must cover at least $15,000 (before 2023), $25,000 (2023-2025), or $35,000 (2026 onward), with higher limits for multiple injuries. It prohibits stacking multiple policies to exceed these limits and requires uninsured motorist coverage up to $250,000 per person for bodily injury. The bill directly affects all drivers in New Jersey who purchase standard auto insurance policies.