Sen. Joe Pennacchio

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. It requires these rates to match the average reimbursement for Day Habilitation Services (Tiers D and E) under the Division of Developmental Disabilities program, raising payments from $3.65 to $9.09 per 15-minute service unit. The policy directly affects approved brain injury service providers and beneficiaries receiving structured day care for traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries. It expands existing Medicaid reimbursement rules, which previously only covered community residential services for brain injury care.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual funding for cancer research in New Jersey by directing $10 million in cigarette and tobacco tax revenues to the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR), up from the current $1 million. It establishes a permanent, non-lapsing "Cancer Research Fund" in the state Treasury, ensuring these funds cannot be diverted to other state budgets. The fund must allocate at least $5 million annually to general cancer research and at least $5 million specifically to pediatric cancer research, with all spending requiring approval by the NJCCR. The State Treasurer manages the fund, and any interest earned is reinvested into the fund for ongoing research support.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill mandates that all health insurance plans and Medicaid programs cover medically necessary tests and FDA-approved treatments designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. The law requires these benefits to be treated the same as coverage for other conditions, specifically exempting them from step therapy requirements that often delay access to medications. These provisions apply to hospital, medical, and health service corporation contracts, as well as individual and group health insurance policies issued or renewed in the state. The coverage must be determined by a physician and align with the official labeling approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases financial aid to New Jersey municipalities within the Highlands Region that host watershed lands, ensuring they receive compensation similar to those already eligible for watershed moratorium offset aid. It also directs that at least 25% of these funds be used for school funding purposes. Additionally, the bill adjusts how money from the Global Warming Solutions Fund is allocated, specifying that 60% supports energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, 20% assists low- and moderate-income residential electricity programs, and 10% helps local governments reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The legislation requires the State Treasurer to include these funding amounts in annual budget requests and mandates the Legislature to appropriate the necessary funds.

Maddy summarySJR 30 designates October of each year as "Eczema Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The resolution aims to increase public awareness about eczema - a skin condition affecting over 13% of New Jersey residents (and 32 million Americans) - and foster community support for those living with it. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with awareness activities. The bill has no funding or regulatory provisions; it is purely symbolic, calling for educational outreach to reduce stigma and improve understanding of the condition. This resolution was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Health Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Right to Know Act, requires New Jersey State Police to create and maintain a public database of undocumented immigrants who have been criminally charged or convicted and are currently in state, county, or municipal correctional facilities. The database would include each person's photograph, the specific crime they were charged with or convicted of, and the location and date of their release from custody. The legislation directly affects undocumented immigrants in the state's correctional system and the public who would have access to this information. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and aims to increase transparency regarding criminal justice involvement among undocumented individuals in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises how New Jersey county election boards handle valid mail-in ballots received after polls close but within specific timeframes. It specifies that ballots with a pre-election postmark received within 144 hours (6 days) of poll closure, or those delivered by USPS within 48 hours after closure, are valid and must be processed. County boards must number and have both a Republican and Democrat representative initial these ballots on receipt, then keep them sealed in their inner envelopes for 60 days before canvassing. Only a Superior Court judge may access these ballots during that period for legal proceedings, ensuring security and preventing premature disclosure of results. This affects all county election officials managing mail-in ballots after election day.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey to directly pay providers for special education services for students with the most expensive needs, rather than having school districts pay upfront and seek partial state reimbursement. It applies to students whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) costs exceed $55,000 annually (adjusted yearly), covering services like residential care or specialized programs. The state would enter contracts directly with providers, make 10 monthly payments starting in October, and create a new Office of High Needs Placement Funding within the Department of Education to manage these payments. This aims to ensure full funding for high-cost special education as required by federal law, relieving school districts of the financial burden for these students.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide public boat access to State-owned lakes where boating (with or without motors) is permitted, within two years of enactment. The DEP must either construct access points or partner with private marinas through public bidding. The bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to cover these costs and mandates that if access cannot be provided, the DEP must report the reasons and required funding to the Governor and Legislature. This directly affects public boaters seeking access to State lakes and requires the DEP to use state funds for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Senate resolution (SR 23) urges Congress to require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to comply with a 1986 federal law. The law mandates that HHS submit biennial reports to Congress detailing actions taken to improve vaccine safety, but HHS has failed to do so since the law's enactment. The resolution specifically calls for HHS to fulfill this reporting obligation as required by the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. It is a procedural measure with no new legal requirements, solely seeking to enforce an existing federal mandate.