Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program to reimburse counties for providing transportation to disabled veterans traveling to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical appointments in New Jersey or neighboring states. It removes previous restrictions that limited veterans to only specific transportation methods, allowing counties to use public transit, private vehicles, or county-owned services for reimbursement. The program directly affects disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities and participating county governments. It appropriates $2 million from the state General Fund to fund this transportation assistance, effective six months after enactment. The law amends existing provisions to expand access for veterans who cannot use existing state or federal travel programs.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for grants to local governments. It requires the DEP to create a public application process for designing and building "completely inclusive playgrounds" (meeting ADA accessibility standards for children) within six months, prioritizing counties without such playgrounds. Local governments can apply for grants covering design and construction costs, with the DEP reporting all funded projects and amounts to the Governor and Legislature within 30 months. The funding directly affects municipalities seeking to develop accessible playgrounds for children.
Maddy summaryS 2448 requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover specific obesity treatments, including preventive care, nutrition counseling, behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved anti-obesity medications. This applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, individual and group health insurance policies, and Medicaid programs. Insurance companies must provide these benefits at the same level as coverage for other medical conditions. The bill defines "anti-obesity medication" as any FDA-approved medication for chronic weight management in patients with obesity, and the requirement applies to policies delivered, issued, executed, or renewed on or after the effective date.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the 48-month power vessel operator license fee in New Jersey from $18 to $30, directly affecting boat operators who must pay this fee. It raises the annual amount dedicated to the Lake Hopatcong Fund from $500,000 to $750,000 using revenue from these licenses. The fund supports the Lake Hopatcong Commission's work to protect, restore, and manage the lake under the Lake Hopatcong Protection Act. The changes take effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to prevent temporary closures of its agency locations during the ongoing public health emergency related to COVID-19. If closures cannot be avoided, the MVC must provide reasonable alternatives like mobile units nearby for residents needing services. The MVC Chief Administrator must also submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within 90 days detailing efforts to maintain service access. The law expires when the public health emergency ends, as defined by state executive orders.
Maddy summaryS 2462 would require New Jersey to distribute remaining federal COVID-19 relief funds to local governments based on population size, ensuring even small towns receive a share without a minimum population threshold. The state's Department of the Treasury must create new application rules considering local needs, which would be posted online before the bill takes effect. The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment and expire once all such federal funds are distributed.
Maddy summaryThis bill changes the composition of New Jersey's Lake Hopatcong Commission, replacing the ex-officio Environmental Protection and Community Affairs Commissioners with two additional public members appointed by the Governor. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a water level management plan within 90 days, covering lake objectives, drawdowns, and shoreline construction guidelines. The plan must be approved by a majority vote of the full commission before DEP can adopt or revise it, and DEP must also seek commission approval for any action lowering the lake below 8.5 feet. These changes directly affect the commission's governance, DEP's management authority, and local municipalities with representation on the commission.
Maddy summarySJR 72 establishes the New Jersey Diversity in Law Enforcement Task Force to study ways to increase diversity within state, local, and municipal police departments. The 13-member task force includes legislative appointees, law enforcement association leaders, civil rights representatives, and community members from urban and non-urban areas. It will examine current diversity data in law enforcement, identify effective recruitment strategies, and develop recommendations within one year. The task force will hold public hearings and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature, but the resolution itself does not mandate specific policy changes. This is a procedural resolution focused solely on studying the issue, not implementing new requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Health to issue temporary certifications to emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics whose licenses have expired or are inactive, as well as to out-of-state paramedics seeking temporary practice. It waives standard requirements like fees, continuing education, and exams for these temporary certifications, which remain valid for six months. The policy directly affects EMTs and paramedics facing certification lapses during the ongoing public health emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It applies to both state residents and qualified out-of-state paramedics seeking short-term practice authorization. The temporary measures expire when the state of emergency ends, whichever comes later.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2445) requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, working with the Departments of Health and Human Services, to study the state's healthcare workforce. The study must analyze current vacancy rates, workforce demographics (including race, gender, and occupation), regional staffing needs, and future supply-demand gaps. It will produce a report with specific recommendations for addressing identified shortages, to be submitted to the Governor and Legislature within one year. The bill directly affects state agencies responsible for workforce planning but does not implement new policies or funding.