Sen. Renee Burgess

Maddy summaryS 2346 extends health insurance coverage for adult children with disabilities beyond the typical age limit of 26. It requires health plans to continue coverage for individuals 26 or older who have an intellectual disability or physical handicap and are chiefly dependent on their parent for support. The law prohibits health plans from denying coverage based on factors like marriage, having a child, or not living with the parent. This applies to hospital, medical, and health service corporation contracts in New Jersey, ensuring continuous coverage for a specific group of disabled adults who rely on parental support.

Maddy summaryS 249 establishes a three-year oral health pilot program (the "MOM Project") in New Jersey's Department of Health, targeting low-income pregnant women and new mothers who live in medically underserved areas and are not enrolled in Medicaid. The program provides free oral health education (at least three hours covering hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention), followed by one year of dental care including cleanings, risk assessments, and necessary treatments through community health centers. It appropriates $4.15 million to fund outreach, education, and dental services, requiring participating centers to partner with nonprofit maternal health groups to develop personalized treatment plans. The initiative aims to improve oral health outcomes for mothers and infants while collecting data on the program's impact.

Maddy summaryS 2264 establishes the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Care Equitable Access Fund" within the state Treasury. Taxpayers can voluntarily add a contribution to their New Jersey gross income tax return to support this fund, with net contributions (after administrative costs) deposited into it. The Legislature would annually allocate all funds in the account equally to the three largest Medicaid reproductive health care providers in the state, requiring them to use the money to provide services (including pregnancy-related care and pregnancy termination) to low-income individuals who cannot afford them. The bill defines "reproductive health care services" broadly to cover medical, surgical, counseling, and referral services related to the human reproductive system. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Health Committee.

Maddy summaryS 2599 requires companies, research facilities, and institutions using cats, dogs, or ferrets for product testing, research, or educational purposes in New Jersey to assess each animal for adoption suitability after testing ends and offer it to rescue organizations or private individuals if suitable. These entities must register with the state health department, report animal details (like type, number, and adoption status), and document efforts to place animals for adoption. Noncompliance results in civil penalties of up to $50,000 for repeated violations, with a third offense potentially leading to a court-ordered ban on animal testing. The bill establishes clear reporting procedures and enforcement mechanisms to ensure animals used in testing have adoption opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover substance use disorder treatment services provided by community-based organizations (CBOs), directly expanding access for Medicaid recipients. It establishes new standards for opioid treatment programs, including allowing "medication units" (geographically separate clinics or mobile units) to administer medication-assisted treatment like methadone or buprenorphine. The bill also prohibits treatment programs from denying care based on a patient's refusal of counseling or missing doses, and sets limits on mandatory drug screenings. These changes aim to make treatment more accessible while maintaining clinical standards for opioid use disorder care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to provide students with disabilities access to assistive services during class, such as note-taking software or a scribe, to record course material. It specifically allows recording of lectures and class content for personal use but prohibits recording tests or graded assignments completed during class. The law takes effect immediately upon passage. It directly affects students with disabilities seeking accommodations in public higher education institutions across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands requirements for human trafficking public awareness signage by adding new locations where businesses and public spaces must display it. Specifically, it mandates that gas stations, staffing agencies, law enforcement offices, nail salons, and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission offices must post the signage in visible areas like restrooms and lobbies. The signage must be 8.5x11 inches, in 16-point English and Spanish text, and non-compliance carries $300 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat violations. The bill targets establishments where trafficking may occur or victims might seek help, aiming to increase public awareness of the national anti-trafficking hotline.

Maddy summaryS 1982, the "Fentanyl and Xylazine Poisoning Awareness Act," requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine in health and physical education curricula for students in grades 6-12. The bill mandates teaching about prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and legal protections for seeking help, using resources from federal agencies like the CDC and DEA. School districts must provide this instruction as part of existing health standards, and the state education department must post related materials online for staff, students, and parents. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being approved as P.L.2025, c.278, and is no longer active.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2262) requires health care providers and insurers to obtain a patient’s explicit written consent before sharing medical records related to reproductive health care services - including pregnancy, contraception, or abortion care - with anyone outside the care team, unless specific exceptions apply. Patients must be informed of their right to withhold consent before receiving care or when sharing information about past services. Limited exceptions allow disclosure during medical emergencies, for legal compliance (like court orders), to protect against liability claims, or for investigations into abuse. Violations could trigger $1,000 penalties per incident, but the law explicitly preserves existing HIPAA protections.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 248) expands the state's child tax credit to include children aged six through 11, while increasing credit amounts for both children under age six and those aged six to 11 over a two-year period. For 2023-2024, taxpayers with children under six receive up to $750 (for income under $30,000) and those with children aged six to 11 receive up to $500 (for income under $30,000), with credits phasing out completely at $80,000 income. Starting in 2025, maximum credits rise to $1,000 for children under six and $600 for children aged six to 11 for low-income households. The credit is refundable and applies to all filing statuses, affecting New Jersey taxpayers with qualifying children in these age groups.