Sen. Doug Steinhardt

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1443 provides mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection for homeowners directly impacted by Hurricane Ida's 2021 remnants. It requires mortgage servicers to grant a one-year forbearance (temporary payment pause) to eligible homeowners who received federal disaster assistance for Ida-related home damage, meet income limits (under 150% of area median income), and have limited savings. During this period, servicers cannot charge fees, penalties, or report missed payments to credit agencies, and must halt foreclosure actions. The law aims to prevent displacement for thousands of affected homeowners while ensuring temporary financial relief.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a current prohibition that prevented New Jersey state/local agencies and private detention facilities from entering into agreements to detain noncitizens for immigration violations. It removes the restriction in existing law (P.L.2021, c.199) that barred such agreements, allowing these entities to now enter, renew, or extend immigration detention agreements. The bill defines an "immigration detention agreement" as any contract or memorandum authorizing the housing or detention of noncitizens for civil immigration violations. This change directly affects state and local government agencies, county sheriffs, and private facilities operating in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's official definition of anti-Semitism by adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, including its "contemporary examples," for use by state institutions. It requires state entities to consider this definition when reviewing or investigating potential anti-Semitic discrimination or bias crimes. The bill appropriates $100,000 to fund a public awareness campaign by the Attorney General's office, promoting the state's bias crimes reporting hotline and resources for identifying and reporting anti-Semitic incidents. The campaign aims to increase public understanding and reporting of bias crimes, particularly affecting Jewish communities and other vulnerable groups in New Jersey. The bill explicitly states it does not diminish First Amendment rights or conflict with existing anti-discrimination laws.

Maddy summarySCR 81 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years. The deduction would rise to $1,000 in 2025, $1,500 in 2026, $2,000 in 2027, and $2,500 starting in 2028, remaining at that level annually thereafter. This change directly affects honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses (who qualify after the veteran's death). The amendment would adjust the existing tax benefit without altering other eligibility rules or requiring new administrative processes.

Maddy summarySJR 124 designates June 1 of each year as "Tae Kwon Do Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to recognize the day and encourages state agencies, organizations, and citizens to observe it with appropriate activities. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or programs. It serves solely to acknowledge Tae Kwon Do's presence and benefits in New Jersey, as noted in the resolution's supporting statements.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3414 permits the sale of raw milk (unpasteurized milk) only through a state-issued permit program. The bill requires farms selling raw milk to meet strict quality standards, including bimonthly bacterial testing, no growth hormones, and cooling milk within two hours of milking. It mandates clear health warnings on all containers and signage stating raw milk "may contain organisms that cause human disease." The program, administered by the Department of Agriculture and Health, includes inspections, a permit fee, and revocation for repeated test failures. This directly affects dairy farms seeking to sell raw milk and consumers purchasing it at the farm of origin.

Maddy summaryS 2535 establishes a new minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. The bill requires that these services be reimbursed at the average rate of $9.09 per 15 minutes (currently $3.65), aligning with reimbursement rates for similar services under the Division of Developmental Disabilities. This change directly affects approved brain injury service providers who deliver structured day programs to Medicaid beneficiaries. The policy applies to services provided on or after the bill's effective date, ensuring consistent reimbursement for brain injury care.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds $500,000 in supplemental funding from the state General Fund to the Department of Agriculture for the Jersey Fresh marketing program. It directly supports New Jersey farmers by increasing their ability to promote locally grown produce to consumers through the Jersey Fresh brand. The key provision replaces the state's use of federal Specialty Crops Block Grant funds for this program, freeing up to $500,000 in federal funds for additional farmer support. This increases total available funding for the program beyond its current $100,000 annual allocation. The funding supports the state's long-running initiative to connect consumers with local agricultural products.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to create a program where the state acts as a "purchaser of last resort" for unsold produce from farmers who cannot sell it elsewhere. It requires the department to buy this produce at a reasonable market price and distribute it to food banks, homeless shelters, senior centers, adult day care centers, veterans organizations, and other nonprofit food providers. The program must comply with Department of Health food safety guidelines, and the Department of Agriculture must request annual budget funding to implement it. This directly affects farmers facing unsold crops and nonprofit organizations serving food-insecure communities.

Maddy summaryS 3334 establishes a voluntary, three-year pilot program in New Jersey to cover Medicaid expenses for remote maternal health services, including at-home monitoring of vital signs (like blood pressure), remote fetal monitoring, and tele-ultrasound consultations. It applies to pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries who are at high risk due to medical conditions (such as diabetes or high blood pressure), age (under 19 or over 35), lifestyle factors, or pregnancy complications, as well as those in areas with few obstetric providers or facing socioeconomic barriers like transportation issues. Participation requires a health care provider's referral and is voluntary; all services must use FDA-approved, HIPAA-compliant technology to securely transmit health data. Implementation depends on federal approval of a Medicaid waiver to secure funding for the state's costs.