Sen. Nick Scutari

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3137 requires all state and local government entities - including municipalities, counties, school districts, state departments, and public universities - to conduct a cybersecurity review of their systems. Each entity must evaluate current security, identify high-risk issues, propose modernization strategies for networks and software, and suggest policy changes. The head of each entity must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 45 days of the bill's effective date. This bill directly affects all public entities responsible for managing digital infrastructure across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program (NJ FamilyCare) to pay inpatient hospitals the same reimbursement rate for long-acting injectable antipsychotic drugs as is paid for the same drugs in outpatient settings. It mandates that this reimbursement be separate from standard hospital payment systems (like DRGs) and based on the actual drug cost, not a fixed hospital payment. The policy directly affects inpatient providers (such as hospitals) treating patients with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The change aims to better align reimbursement with the true cost of these drugs, which can improve patient access and outcomes by reducing hospital readmissions.

Maddy summaryS 3184 removes a requirement from New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2026 state budget that the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) achieve $100 million in cost savings within the first six months of 2026. This eliminates a complex process involving the State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee (SHBPDC), actuarial reviews, and multiple deadlines for negotiating cost-saving proposals. The bill directly affects the SHBP funding structure by removing mandatory savings targets and associated timelines. It was introduced but withdrawn after the requirement was already addressed through another approved law (P.L.2025, c.395).

Maddy summaryS 3181 increases fees for New Jersey county surrogate courts, which handle wills, estates, and probate cases. It raises the fee for probating a two-page will from $100 to $150 and adds a new $100 fee for exemplifying documents from other states. These changes affect individuals filing wills, administering estates, or requesting certified copies in New Jersey counties. The bill also increases other existing fees, such as letters of administration, and adds new fee categories for court services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all standard auto insurance policies in New Jersey to include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage equal to the policy's bodily injury liability limits. It sets phased-in minimum coverage amounts: $15,000/$30,000 (pre-2023), $25,000/$50,000 (2023-2025), and $35,000/$70,000 (2026+), for injuries per person or accident. The law also mandates property damage coverage up to the policy's liability limit for property damage, with a $500 deductible, and prohibits stacking coverage across multiple vehicles or policies. This directly affects car insurance policyholders in New Jersey by standardizing coverage levels to better protect them when hit by uninsured or underinsured drivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3150) would establish a state licensing requirement for landscape professionals and a registration process for professional landscaping businesses in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals and companies providing landscape services, requiring them to obtain a license or register with the state. Key provisions include creating a Landscape Professional License Review Committee to oversee licensing, setting standards for qualifications, and exempting certain existing licensed professionals (like architects or engineers) who work within their scope. The bill aims to ensure public safety, environmental protection, and industry standards by preventing unqualified individuals from performing landscape work. The legislation is pending in the Senate Commerce Committee as of its introduction date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Governor to appoint a Chief Accountability Officer who reports directly to the Governor. The officer will oversee 16 specific state oversight roles - including ombudsmen, compliance officers, and comptrollers across departments like Transportation, Education, and Human Services - to ensure their audits, investigations, and reviews align with state laws and professional standards. The officer must coordinate activities among these positions, hold regular meetings to prevent duplication of work, and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. This creates centralized oversight for state accountability roles without altering their core duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits fees charged for copies of medical and billing records in New Jersey. It caps total fees at $50 per patient record (including search fees), prohibits charging for billing records, and sets a $1/page fee for medical records (with a $50 maximum per record). It requires healthcare providers to waive fees for patients at or below 250% of the federal poverty level or enrolled in qualifying assistance programs. The law directly affects patients, their representatives, and authorized third parties seeking medical records from hospitals or healthcare providers.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 55) urges the federal EPA to use funds from New Jersey's Superfund settlements **exclusively for cleaning up specific contaminated sites in New Jersey** - not for administrative costs elsewhere. It specifically requests the EPA limit settlement-related overhead costs (like agency management) to **no more than 10% of the total settlement value**, following New Jersey's established practice. The resolution targets the state's 115 Superfund sites on the EPA's National Priorities List - the highest number in the U.S. - which require remediation to address environmental and health risks. It does not create new law but formally requests EPA action to prioritize local cleanup.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an Office on Women's Health within New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) and requires it to provide grants to community organizations and small businesses. The grants fund specific research and innovation projects focused on women's health, including studies on conditions affecting women across their lifespans (like menopause-related health issues), addressing health disparities, developing research standards, and using innovation tools like prizes to spur progress. It also directs the office to create public-private partnerships, serve as a resource center, and coordinate health programs across state agencies. The bill aims to accelerate research translation into treatments and improve health outcomes for women.