Sen. Joe Pennacchio

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that New Jersey real estate salespersons and broker-salespersons may form limited liability companies (LLCs) or other legal entities to receive their commissions, without changing their business relationship with their employing broker. It explicitly permits salespersons to accept commissions directly from their own LLC or entity, provided this arrangement aligns with their written agreement with the broker. The New Jersey Real Estate Commission will establish a registration process for these entities to ensure compliance. The law takes immediate effect.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A5217, the "Ensuring Fairness in Cost-Sharing Amounts Act of 2024," requires health insurance carriers and pharmacy benefits managers to count third-party discounts and payments toward patients' out-of-pocket costs like copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. This means discounts from drug manufacturers, patient assistance programs, or other third parties must reduce what patients actually pay for covered health services, rather than being ignored by insurers. The bill prohibits insurers from using "accumulators" that would prevent these discounts from counting toward a patient's deductible. It applies to all health benefits plans in New Jersey and requires annual compliance certification from insurers and pharmacy benefits managers.

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 summaryThis bill designates the Saturday before Thanksgiving as "National Adoption Day" and November as "National Adoption Month" in New Jersey. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to raise public awareness about adoption services, educate prospective parents, and celebrate finalized adoptions. The resolution highlights New Jersey's foster care statistics (including 6,000 children in care) and aims to support adoption efforts by recognizing families during this period. It does not change adoption laws or provide funding but focuses on symbolic recognition and community celebration. The bill's purpose is to draw attention to children awaiting adoption and the importance of family formation.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies New Jersey law to allow real estate salespersons and broker-salespersons to form limited liability companies (LLCs) to receive commissions directly, without disrupting their business relationship with their employing broker. It specifically permits these professionals to accept payments from their LLCs (or other permitted entities) for services, as long as their written agreement with the broker remains unchanged. The New Jersey Real Estate Commission must establish a registration process for these LLCs to operate under the new rules. The change affects real estate professionals who use business entities for compensation, updating existing rules that previously restricted commission sources to only their employer or contracting broker.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3802) clarifies that certain legal service plans are not considered "legal insurance" under New Jersey law. It defines "legal insurance" as payment for specified legal services over time, while explicitly excluding common arrangements like retainer contracts, basic consultation plans, union-provided legal help, and services from legal aid offices. The law ensures these excluded services remain outside traditional insurance regulations, which require claims payments and risk assumption. This directly affects legal service providers, insurers, and consumers by preventing misclassification of routine legal assistance as insurance.

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 summaryS 421, the "Uniform Electronic Wills Act," would allow New Jersey residents to create legally valid wills using electronic means. The bill defines an "electronic will" as a document executed online or via digital tools, requiring the testator's signature (or direction for another to sign), witnessed electronically or in person by two people, or acknowledged before a notary. It ensures electronic wills have the same legal standing as traditional paper wills for all purposes under New Jersey law. The bill is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee (introduced January 9, 2024) and would affect anyone creating a will in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to create a three-year pilot program in Morris and Middlesex counties that connects eligible residents to public transit hubs using ride-hailing services. Eligible residents (only those living in Morris or Middlesex County) can book flat-rate rides through NJT’s contracted ride-hailing companies to reach the nearest bus, train, or light-rail station on workdays. Riders who use the pilot program receive discounted transit fares for boarding at those stations, but must show proof of pilot participation (like a receipt) to qualify. NJT must report annually on program usage, rider satisfaction, costs, and feedback, with recommendations after the second year on whether to expand, modify, or end the pilot.

Maddy summaryThis bill suspends two specific charges on residential and business electric and gas utility bills for the entire year of 2026 (January 1-December 31, 2026). It eliminates the state sales and use tax and the societal benefits charge (which funds clean energy programs and energy assistance) on these bills. The average residential customer would save $170-$233 on electricity bills and $178-$308 on gas bills during this period. The suspension expires on January 1, 2027, and does not affect other utility fees or taxes.