Sen. Doug Steinhardt

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 191 classifies xylazine - a sedative sometimes misused in illicit drugs - as a Schedule III controlled substance under state law, except when used by veterinarians for animal care. This means unauthorized possession, distribution, or use of xylazine would become a third-degree crime punishable by 3-5 years in prison and fines up to $35,000. The law directly affects individuals using xylazine outside veterinary contexts, including those misusing it with other drugs like fentanyl. Veterinarians remain exempt, allowing continued medical use for animals without criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey insurers and health plans to cover ovarian cancer screening for women with symptoms or at higher risk, including annual pelvic exams, ultrasounds, and blood marker tests. It applies to most individual and group health insurance policies, health maintenance organizations, and health benefits plans sold in the state. Coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical conditions under the policy, without additional cost-sharing. The law applies to policies where insurers retain the right to adjust premiums.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 736 bill would expand the state's identity theft law to specifically criminalize using AI or deepfake technology to impersonate someone or create false depictions for fraud or harm. It adds "false depiction" via AI-generated media (like manipulated videos or audio) to the existing definition of identity theft, making it illegal to impersonate others or misrepresent their identity using such technology to obtain benefits, avoid debts, or cause injury. Penalties would range from a fourth-degree crime (for minor harm) to a second-degree crime (for large-scale fraud or multiple victims), mirroring current sentencing tiers for identity theft. The law targets AI-driven impersonation that causes financial loss, reputational damage, or other harm, but does not regulate general AI use.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates inheritance taxes for siblings who inherit property from a deceased person. It directly affects brothers and sisters who receive assets through a decedent's estate, removing a tax that previously applied to such transfers. The law amends New Jersey's tax code to exempt sibling inheritances from the tax rates that were previously in effect (including 11% on amounts up to $1.1 million). This change applies to all sibling inheritances occurring on or after January 1, 2022, and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state employees, agencies, and state contractors from downloading or using the TikTok app or visiting its website on any state-issued or state-leased electronic device (including phones, computers, and tablets). It applies to all state-issued devices used for official work, with an exception for law enforcement officers using TikTok during investigations under guidelines established by the Attorney General. Violating this prohibition is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryS 1329 requires New Jersey school districts to provide parents with a voucher covering 75% of the district's per-pupil spending (prorated for remaining school days) if they withdraw their child from public school due to objections about curriculum content they deem harmful. It specifically includes objections related to material conflicting with parental beliefs about sex, sexuality, gender identity, religion, or morality. The voucher must cover tuition and fees for enrollment in a nonpublic school. This applies to all public school students in New Jersey whose parents make such objections.

Maddy summaryS 962 (New Jersey) bars the state health commissioner and other government entities from requiring students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to attend public K-12 schools. The bill directly affects all students enrolled in New Jersey's public primary and secondary schools by removing a potential vaccination mandate for school attendance. Key provisions state that no state entity may make SARS-CoV-2 vaccination a condition of enrollment, effective immediately upon enactment. This policy change shifts school immunization requirements away from including the COVID-19 vaccine as a standard prerequisite.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $4.32 billion from New Jersey's Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund to all municipalities and counties for two key purposes: retiring existing local debt or funding capital projects (like infrastructure) without issuing new debt. It directs $3 billion to municipalities on an equal per capita basis (same amount per resident) and $1.32 billion to counties similarly. The funds, partially drawn from $1.97 billion in unallocated balances already in the fund, must be distributed within 30 days of enactment. The bill aims to provide immediate, efficient financial relief to local governments facing debt burdens.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey motor vehicle rental companies to allow customers to return rented cars 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It directly affects renters who face travel delays or unexpected circumstances that prevent returning vehicles during standard business hours. The law mandates rental companies to establish a method for after-hours returns, with violations carrying civil penalties of up to $2,500 for a first offense and $5,000 for repeat offenses. These penalties would be enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The bill aims to eliminate inconvenience and extra costs for renters due to limited return options.

Maddy summaryS 1330 "Michelle's Law" requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover mammograms under specific conditions. It mandates coverage for a baseline mammogram at age 40, annual mammograms for women 40 and older, and mammograms for women under 40 with breast cancer risk factors (like family history) as recommended by their doctor. The law also requires coverage for additional tests like ultrasounds or MRIs after a mammogram if breast density is extremely high, the mammogram is abnormal, or other risk factors exist. This directly affects women who need breast cancer screening through their health insurance plans. The bill is currently in committee after being introduced in January 2024.