Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover prescription drugs for "serious mental illness" (including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and PTSD) without prior authorization or step therapy protocols. It directly affects individuals with these diagnoses who rely on insurance for mental health medications. Key provisions ban insurers from forcing patients to try lower-cost treatments first (step therapy) or requiring pre-approval for covered medications. The bill also mandates insurers to report how they apply medical necessity standards for mental health coverage to ensure parity with physical health benefits. This creates immediate, concrete changes to medication access for covered mental health conditions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires every public school in New Jersey to employ at least two full-time staff members with expertise in student mental health - specifically licensed school counselors or school psychologists - starting in the first full school year after enactment. For schools with over 500 students, districts must add additional staff in proportion to enrollment. The law applies directly to all local school boards and affects every public school building statewide. It mandates concrete staffing levels without specifying funding mechanisms or outcomes.
Maddy summaryS 1275 requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey (including hospital, medical, and health service corporation plans) to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations without cost-sharing. Diagnostic exams evaluate abnormalities found in screenings or detected otherwise, while supplemental exams screen high-risk patients (e.g., those with dense breasts or family history) when no abnormality exists. The bill mandates coverage "to the same extent as for any other sickness" under insurance contracts, eliminating deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for these specific exams. This directly affects New Jersey residents with health insurance who require these medically necessary breast screenings.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2149) modifies New Jersey's veteran property tax deduction eligibility rules. It allows veterans who become owners of real property after October 1 but before December 31 of the pretax year to still qualify for the deduction, provided they were previously eligible for the deduction on another property in the state before October 1. Currently, veterans must own the property as of October 1 to qualify, which could disqualify them if they purchase a home after that date. The change ensures veterans moving into new homes after October 1 do not lose the deduction due to timing. It directly affects veterans purchasing property between October 2 and December 31 who previously qualified for the deduction.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands school staff's ability to administer epinephrine auto-injectors to students experiencing severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) in New Jersey schools, colleges, and youth camps. It allows trained school nurses or designated staff to give epinephrine without prior parental consent if they believe a student is having an anaphylactic reaction, even if the student hasn't been identified as needing it or parental forms are incomplete. Schools must store epinephrine securely but accessibly, train staff, maintain backup supplies, and follow specific protocols for emergency use and hospital transport. The law requires parental written authorization for routine use, but streamlines emergency administration to save critical time during allergic emergencies. It directly affects all New Jersey public and nonpublic schools, colleges, and youth camps with students at risk of anaphylaxis.
Maddy summaryS 2863 (now withdrawn) established new criminal penalties for recklessly discharging a firearm with live ammunition. It creates a misdemeanor for a first offense, a fourth-degree crime for a second offense, and a third-degree crime for a third or subsequent offense. The bill increases penalties if the discharge occurs within 100 yards of schools, occupied buildings, or child care facilities. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into another law (P.L.2025, c.364), meaning it did not become effective.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to make a good faith effort to increase contracts awarded to minority- and women-owned businesses for small purchases that don't require public advertising (typically under $150,000-$250,000). It sets a specific goal of achieving a 30% aggregate increase in such contracts within five years of the bill's effective date. Agencies must submit monthly reports to the State Treasurer detailing progress, while the Treasurer will develop guidelines and provide biannual reports to the Governor and Legislature on implementation. The bill directly affects all state agencies managing these small, non-advertised contracts and aims to expand opportunities for certified minority- and women-owned businesses.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's early intervention services program to cover eligible children from birth through age five (previously only up to age two). It requires the Department of Health to provide services for infants, toddlers, and young children with developmental delays or disabilities, aligning with federal Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The key mechanism is mandating the Department to seek federal funding waivers or plan amendments to finance the expanded age range, ensuring continued federal support for the program. This directly affects families of children with developmental needs who would now qualify for services through age five.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2191 would make individual owners, managers, and officers of LLCs and corporations personally liable for unpaid housing, building, or health code violations when acting as residential landlords. It applies if three or more charges remain unpaid 13 months after the first due date, after proper notice is sent to all relevant parties (including mortgage holders). The bill requires the individual to hold at least a 10% ownership stake in a member-managed LLC or serve as a director/officer, with a defense available if they couldn't influence payment. This expands liability beyond the entity itself to specific individuals under defined conditions. The bill is currently pending in the Senate (introduced January 13, 2026).
Maddy summaryS 1804, "Moose's Law," prohibits individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses in New Jersey from owning animals or working/volunteering at animal-related businesses (like shelters, vets, pet shops, or breeding operations) for a period set by the court. The law requires courts to order offenders to forfeit owned animals (transferring them to shelters or co-owners) and bans future animal ownership or employment in animal enterprises for at least two years, or longer based on offense severity. It also creates a presumption against granting pretrial intervention (a diversion program) for people accused of certain animal cruelty offenses, meaning they typically cannot avoid trial through this program. The law directly affects convicted animal cruelty offenders, restricting their ability to interact with animals in personal or professional settings.