Maddy summarySCR 61 creates a special 14-member committee (with balanced political representation) to investigate costs and decisions affecting New Jersey's public employee health care programs. The committee will examine premium increases in state health programs, contract disputes with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, allegations of executive branch influence on Treasury staff regarding a $34 million contract, and implementation of a 2019 law establishing fund subaccounts and third-party reviews. It will gather evidence through hearings and subpoenas (with joint approval of co-chairs and leadership) and issue a report with findings and recommendations. The committee directly affects state health care program administration and the Department of the Treasury's operations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill exempts specific oral healthcare products from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects consumers purchasing items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, and oral irrigators, and retailers selling these products. The law adds "oral healthcare products for human use" to existing tax exemptions, defining them as items designed to maintain oral health (excluding food, supplements, or medical equipment). This aligns with a multistate tax agreement (SSUTA) that standardizes tax treatment for these products across participating states. The exemption applies to all qualifying products regardless of whether they meet over-the-counter drug definitions.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for accidental disability benefits under New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to cover certain state employees. It directly affects workers employed at State psychiatric institutions or correctional facilities after January 2003 but before becoming PERS members, who sustained injuries or illnesses during those jobs. The key provision deems such injuries as occurring "during membership" if the employee later joins PERS without interruption in the same employment. This allows them to apply for benefits based on those pre-membership work-related injuries, rather than requiring membership at the time of injury. The change specifically applies to traumatic injuries sustained while performing duties related to patient care or security at these facilities.
Maddy summaryS 2378 provides free entry to New Jersey State parks, forests, and beaches for two groups: (1) veterans who are New Jersey residents, and (2) active-duty military personnel (including reserves) who are either New Jersey residents or stationed in the state. This expands current law, which already covers residents aged 62+, totally disabled residents, and National Guard members after training. The bill removes admission fees for these groups while clarifying that disabled veterans also pay no fee for motor vehicle permits on park beaches. It amends existing statutes (P.L.1983, c.324 and P.L.2007, c.275) to define eligibility and streamline access.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to classify operating a stolen vehicle in a way that risks injury to people or damage to property as a second-degree crime. It directly affects individuals who steal vehicles and then drive them recklessly, such as during high-speed chases or in crowded areas. The key change reclassifies this specific scenario from a lower-degree offense to second-degree theft, carrying penalties of 5 to 10 years in prison, a $150,000 fine, or both. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill lowers New Jersey's statewide sales and use tax rate from 6.625% to 6%, effective January 1, 2026. It directly affects consumers and businesses selling taxable goods and services, including most retail items, prepared food, and certain services like tanning, massage, and utility bills (with limited exemptions for homebound elderly meals and some services). The key change modifies the tax rate in the law, reducing the percentage applied to eligible transactions. This is a straightforward rate adjustment without new exemptions or complex mechanisms. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Budget Committee.
Maddy summaryS 2389 increases annual funding for New Jersey's Commission on Cancer Research from $1 million to $4 million by redirecting tobacco tax revenues into a dedicated Cancer Research Fund. This replaces the previous lapsing fund that had been diverted to the General Fund, ensuring the $4 million is permanently available for cancer research. The new non-lapsing fund, managed by the State Treasurer, will exclusively provide grants for research projects approved by the Commission, with interest earned also funding the cause. This change guarantees stable, long-term support for the Commission's work on cancer prevention, treatment, and research in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2017) allows county sheriffs in New Jersey to directly appoint Class Three special law enforcement officers for school and county college security. Currently, only municipalities or counties with their own police forces could appoint these officers to provide security during school hours on campus. The bill expands this authority to county sheriffs, enabling them to hire officers who have the same powers as full-time police officers for campus safety. It does not change security requirements but adds sheriffs as an option for appointing these officers. The bill is procedural and takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state officials, including the Commissioner of Health, from requiring students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend public K-12 schools. It directly affects public school students and families by removing a potential vaccination mandate for school attendance. The key provision bans state government entities from making SARS-CoV-2 vaccination a condition of enrollment or attendance in public primary or secondary schools. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, with no exceptions for school attendance requirements. It does not address other vaccination requirements or private school policies.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1046, the "New Jersey Laken Riley Act," establishes procedures for law enforcement when arresting undocumented immigrants charged with specific serious crimes. It applies to individuals not citizens, lawful residents, or authorized under certain federal programs (like DACA or asylum) who face charges including first-degree crimes, motor vehicle offenses causing injury, or federal aggravated felonies/crimes of violence. The bill requires officers to verify immigration status via DHS; if confirmed as unlawfully present, officers must comply with federal immigration detainers and prosecutors must seek pretrial detention, overriding state bail reform laws. The bill repeals prior state laws restricting immigration enforcement and ends the "Immigrant Trust Directive" that limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities.