Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3528 creates the Governor's Survivor Leader Advisory Council within the Department of Health to address human trafficking risks linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The council, composed of nine survivor-led members with trafficking expertise, must hold at least eight meetings yearly and submit a detailed report to the Governor and Legislature within 240 days of enactment. Key provisions include evaluating existing anti-trafficking laws, recommending new programs or hotlines, developing public awareness campaigns (including signage), and coordinating with law enforcement. The bill appropriates $1 million for the council's operations and requires the Attorney General to issue trafficking response guidelines for law enforcement. This directly affects state agencies, survivors serving on the council, and the public through enhanced trafficking prevention measures during the World Cup event.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 4758 increases penalties for reckless vehicular homicide when the driver was intoxicated and the incident occurred in a highway construction zone or a designated safe corridor. Currently, such crimes are typically a second-degree offense (with possible downgrade), but this bill adds construction zones and safe corridors to the list of locations that elevate the charge to first degree - previously, only school zones triggered this upgrade. A first-degree conviction carries 10-20 years in prison, a fine up to $200,000, or both, plus a driver’s license suspension of 5 years to life. The bill specifically targets incidents involving drivers violating New Jersey’s DUI laws (R.S. 39:4-50) in these high-risk areas.
Maddy summaryS 4833 establishes a new Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program within New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to address safety and environmental risks from abandoned mines. The bill requires the DOT to develop a statewide reclamation plan mapping all abandoned mines, identifying the most dangerous sites (like those threatening infrastructure or water quality), and creating a ranked list of projects to stabilize or reclaim them. The program will fund reclamation projects through a dedicated "Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program Fund," using federal grants, state appropriations, or private donations, and may implement projects directly, contract with private firms, or provide grants to local governments or property owners. Property owners must be notified before DOT access is required for reclamation work, and all entries will be treated as a state police power action - not condemnation - without requiring property owners to pay for the work.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1067) requires the state's Department of Human Services to conduct a landscape analysis of mental health services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing residents. It mandates that mental health services be provided in a client's primary communication method (like sign language or speech), delivered by professionals certified in that method and trained in culturally appropriate care for the deaf community. The bill also requires the creation of a resource guide listing providers meeting these standards and defines key terms like "culturally affirmative mental health services." It directly affects deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking mental health care across New Jersey.
Maddy summaryACR 165 is a non-binding resolution urging New Jersey school districts to establish concussion management teams. These teams, made up of school-based professionals like nurses, psychologists, and athletic trainers, would support students recovering from concussions and help them safely return to classroom and sports activities. The resolution highlights that while school districts already have mandatory concussion policies, forming these teams would provide immediate, coordinated care during school hours. It directs copies to be sent to the Commissioner of Education and all school districts as a recommendation to enhance student care.
Maddy summarySCR 128 is a New Jersey Senate Concurrent Resolution (not a binding law) urging school districts to form concussion management teams. These teams would include school nurses, psychologists, athletic trainers, and administrators to support students recovering from concussions during school hours. The resolution highlights that such teams help coordinate care with families, ensure safe return to academics and sports, and provide immediate professional support - complementing existing district concussion policies. It does not create new legal requirements but encourages districts to adopt this approach using resources like the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3864) allows families or guardians of individuals aged 19-21 with developmental disabilities to save unused after-school care hours provided by contracted agencies. Specifically, it permits redirecting unused hours from regular after-school service schedules to holiday or weekend hours without needing new authorization. The policy applies only to existing agency-provided after-school care services (defined as social/recreational activities outside the home during non-school hours) already authorized for these individuals. It requires the Division of Children’s System of Care to implement this change, effective immediately.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance carriers and pharmacy benefits managers in New Jersey to apply third-party discounts and payments toward an individual's cost-sharing amounts, including copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs for covered health benefits. It prohibits insurers from using "accumulators" that would prevent these discounts from reducing an individual's cost-sharing responsibility. The bill mandates that carriers must give credit for any cost-sharing amount paid by the enrollee or on their behalf by another party when calculating out-of-pocket costs. It also requires annual certification to the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to verify compliance with these requirements. The bill takes effect January 1, 2025, and applies to all health benefits plans offered or issued by carriers in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's requirements for public accounting licensure. It requires applicants to have either a bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration or 150 hours of accredited education from an institution recognized by the Commission on Higher Education. For out-of-state license holders, it removes "substantial equivalence" as a standard and instead requires a current license from another state, passing the CPA exam, and one year of experience. Existing license holders with practice privileges as of December 31, 2025 will continue to have those privileges without meeting the new requirements. The bill aims to modernize the state's accountancy licensure standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill exempts foreign-licensed healthcare professionals from New Jersey's standard licensing requirements when providing medical services exclusively to athletes or team personnel of international soccer teams participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It applies only during the tournament period (June 1-July 31, 2026), covering all related activities including pre-tournament training. The exemption is limited to services for team members affiliated with foreign nations competing in the event, not general public healthcare. It does not alter New Jersey's regular licensing rules for healthcare professionals outside this specific timeframe and scope.