Sen. Doug Steinhardt

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public utilities (like electric, gas, water, and sewer providers) to take responsibility for customer complaints and property damage caused by third-party contractors hired to install or upgrade utility equipment - unless prior contracts with those contractors specify otherwise. Utilities must document how they resolve each complaint, including customer details, incident descriptions, communications, and final outcomes. The law applies only to "non-elective" work (not work requested directly by customers) and does not prevent utilities from negotiating indemnification agreements with contractors. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1188) amends New Jersey's "Extended Employment Act" to modernize support for people with significant disabilities. It revises key definitions - such as replacing "sheltered workshop" with "extended employment" to describe nonprofit-run programs providing work opportunities for individuals with disabilities who cannot compete in the open labor market. The bill updates funding mechanisms to tie annual increases to the CPI-W index (not fixed amounts) and requires contracted providers to submit detailed annual reports on participant outcomes. It directly affects nonprofit service providers administering these programs and people with significant disabilities who qualify for extended employment services. The changes aim to better align program structure with current vocational rehabilitation standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades burglary of a residence (a dwelling or structure adapted for overnight accommodation) to a second-degree crime, regardless of whether the burglar was armed or caused injury. Currently, such burglaries are typically third-degree unless specific aggravating factors exist. The change means offenders convicted of entering a home unlawfully will face a second-degree charge, requiring them to serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before parole eligibility under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA). This directly affects individuals convicted of residential burglary, increasing potential prison time compared to the current third-degree classification. The bill amends New Jersey law to automatically classify these offenses as second-degree burglary under Section 2C:18-2(b)(3).

Maddy summaryS 352, the "Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act," requires manufacturers and sellers of Internet-connected devices (like tablets or smart TVs) to include digital blocking technology that automatically restricts access to obscene material, child pornography, revenge pornography, and websites linked to human trafficking or prostitution. For devices sold to minors, the blocking must be active by default; adults can deactivate it by paying a $20 fee, and companies may pay a $20 opt-out fee per device instead. Companies must also establish a reporting system for users to flag wrongly blocked or unblocked content and fix such issues within five business days. Fees collected from consumers or companies will fund the state’s Commission on Human Trafficking, with violations punishable by fines up to $20,000 per offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal defense for victims of human trafficking who commit crimes while being trafficked. It allows victims to avoid prosecution for crimes they committed as a direct result of their trafficking situation, provided they were victims at the time and the crime stemmed from that trafficking. To qualify, the defendant must prove both that they were a trafficking victim during the alleged offense and that the crime was a direct consequence of being trafficked. The defense applies even if the trafficking case itself didn't lead to a conviction.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey public and private institutions of higher education from receiving state funding if they boycott or divest from Israel-supporting businesses or Israeli businesses. Specifically, it blocks state operating aid, state bond proceeds, and student financial aid for institutions that boycott Israel's goods, boycott entities doing business with Israel, divest due to a company's support of Israel, or participate in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The law excludes divestment for "prudent economic reasons" and applies to all parts of an institution, including endowment funds. The bill takes immediate effect and directly impacts colleges receiving any state education funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2621, establishes the "Equitable Drug Pricing and Patient Access Act" to set minimum reimbursement rates for pharmacies providing prescription drugs to Medicaid beneficiaries in New Jersey. It mandates that pharmacies receive at least the national average drug acquisition cost plus a $10.92 dispensing fee, regardless of whether services are delivered through Medicaid’s fee-for-service or managed care systems. The bill requires Medicaid managed care organizations to include pharmacy choice as a mandatory benefit, ensuring enrollees can select any qualified pharmacy and preventing exclusion of pharmacies based on cost or other criteria. Additionally, it directs the State Auditor to audit pharmacy pricing practices and fund flows within Medicaid to identify potential state savings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey acute care hospitals to attempt contacting a family member within 72 hours of a patient's release after receiving treatment for a drug overdose. It applies only if the hospital has the family member's contact information and the notification complies with federal and state privacy laws. Hospitals must make this attempt but are not required to notify families if privacy laws prevent it. The law takes effect immediately upon passage. This directly affects hospitals and patients who experience drug overdoses in hospital settings.

Maddy summaryS 1182 requires New Jersey public schools to adopt policies restricting student cell phone and social media use during school hours, on buses, and at school events. The policies must include age-appropriate rules, accommodate students with IEPs, allow emergency phone use, and permit educational use with teacher permission. Schools must also implement network-based restrictions to block social media access on all school-owned devices and networks. The Commissioner of Education will develop guidelines covering storage options, communication protocols, and disciplinary procedures to support implementation. These requirements apply starting the first full school year after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public and private schools participating in athletic associations (like NJSIAA or NCAA) to designate sports teams based solely on biological sex. It prohibits male-identified students from joining female-designated teams unless they provide a physician's statement confirming biological sex through anatomy, natural testosterone levels, and genetic analysis. Schools maintaining separate female teams cannot face complaints or penalties for this policy, and students harmed by violations can seek legal remedies. The law directly affects all K-12 and college athletic programs in New Jersey.