Maddy summaryThis bill classifies tianeptine (a medication sometimes misused for its opioid-like effects) as a Schedule II controlled substance in New Jersey, meaning it now requires a prescription for medical use and is strictly regulated. It directly affects individuals who possess or distribute tianeptine without authorization, including those misusing it recreationally. The key provision adds tianeptine explicitly to Schedule II, requiring prescriptions and making unauthorized possession a crime. The bill cites the Drug Enforcement Administration's concern about tianeptine's rapid rise in illicit use and associated health risks like respiratory depression and overdose. (Note: The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.249, so it is now law.)
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill increases pension benefits for New Jersey police and firefighters (members of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System) who become permanently disabled while on duty due to weapon-related injuries. It modifies the pension calculation so that affected members receive 100% of their final annual salary instead of the standard two-thirds, providing a significantly higher benefit. The change applies specifically to disabilities caused by weapons, as defined under New Jersey law, and does not alter other disability pension rules. This adjustment aims to better compensate first responders injured in line-of-duty incidents involving weapons.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 353 requires landowners to obtain a permit from their county agriculture development board before hosting an agriculture-related event on preserved farmland. The permit allows up to four annual events per farm, each lasting one week or weekend, and must temporarily disturb agricultural use without interfering with future farming. Events like pumpkin festivals, tractor pulls, or flower shows qualify, but the permit ensures they don’t violate land preservation restrictions. This law directly affects farmland owners and event organizers by creating a regulated process for temporary agricultural celebrations.
Maddy summarySJR 15 designates the second weekend of September each year as "Salute to Service and Sacrifice Weekend" in New Jersey. The bill directly honors fallen police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services (EMS) professionals, acknowledging that over 600 firefighters and 500 police officers have died in the line of duty since recordkeeping began. It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation urging public officials and residents to observe the weekend with appropriate ceremonies and activities. The resolution focuses solely on symbolic recognition, with no new programs or funding, and takes effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summaryThe "Patient and Provider Protection Act" regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) in New Jersey, directly affecting PBMs, pharmacies (both contracted and independent), and patients who use prescription drugs. It requires PBMs to establish conflict-free committees managing drug formularies, ensures generic drugs are not disadvantaged over higher-cost alternatives, and bans commission-based PBM compensation in favor of flat fees. The bill mandates PBMs to prioritize long-term patient health outcomes, prohibits misleading marketing to steer patients to network pharmacies, and sets reimbursement rules: contracted pharmacies must be paid at least their acquisition cost, while independent pharmacies receive rates no more than 5% below the lowest contracted rate (but not below cost). It also bans contracts conditioning drug rebates on excluding generic drugs and prevents PBMs from restricting independent pharmacies from matching network prices and quantities.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to create special 4-H license plates for motor vehicles. It allows residents to apply for these plates by paying a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual fee, with all collected fees deposited into a dedicated "New Jersey 4-H License Plate Fund." The fund, managed by the state Treasury, provides annual grants to support New Jersey 4-H's mission and programs through the money collected from plate fees. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents who choose to purchase these plates, with the revenue specifically earmarked to fund 4-H activities.
Maddy summaryS 125 prohibits state employees, contractors, and state-issued devices (including phones, computers, and tablets) from downloading or using the TikTok app or visiting its website. This applies to all state agencies and entities working with the state, with violations punishable by fines up to $1,000 or six months in jail. The bill includes an exception for law enforcement officers using TikTok in investigations, requiring the Attorney General to create specific guidelines for such use. The law aims to address data security concerns raised by the FBI regarding TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, and potential data access by foreign entities.
Maddy summarySJR 23 designates June 1 of each year as "Tae Kwon Do Day" in New Jersey. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to recognize the day and encourages state agencies, organizations, and citizens to observe it with relevant activities. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws, programs, or funding, but formally acknowledges Tae Kwon Do's presence and benefits in the state. It directly affects New Jersey residents through symbolic recognition of the martial art's role in communities.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 315) requires the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create special blue envelopes for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to hold essential driving documents. The envelopes must be easily recognizable to police, hold a driver’s license, registration, and insurance card, and include written identification of the holder’s autism diagnosis plus communication guidance for officers. It also establishes a documentation process for applicants or their caregivers to obtain these envelopes. The bill aims to improve safety and communication during traffic stops for autistic drivers.
Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits paid to eligible retired members of New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It requires the PFRS board of trustees to restore these COLAs to their previous statutory level without requiring additional contributions from retirees, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't increase employer costs or jeopardize the system's long-term financial health. The policy directly affects retired police officers and firefighters who receive benefits under the PFRS. The change reverses a prior reduction to these automatic inflation adjustments for this specific retirement system.