Maddy summaryThis bill requires school bus personnel working with students with disabilities to call 911 during potential life-threatening emergencies and report these calls to the Office of Special Education. It mandates that school buses transporting students with disabilities be equipped with interior video cameras, real-time GPS tracking, and two-way communication devices. School bus drivers and aides must receive specialized training on emergency procedures and interacting with students with disabilities, with school districts and contractors required to maintain records of emergency calls. Failure to comply with the 911 reporting requirement can result in civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. The bill applies specifically to school buses transporting students with disabilities, affecting school bus personnel, school districts, and bus contractors.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools (grades 7-12) and colleges to print the telephone number for mental health and suicide crisis resources on student ID cards, replacing the current mandate for the NJ Hopeline number. The Commissioner of Education or Secretary of Higher Education (with input from the Commissioner of Human Services) will determine the specific resources to be listed. Schools may also include additional support services like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or on-campus crisis centers. The law takes effect immediately for the next school year.
Maddy summaryS 4263 makes permanent a 72-hour limit on holding individuals in general hospitals or emergency departments for involuntary mental health commitment without a court order. Hospitals may extend this hold for up to 72 additional hours only if they have exhausted efforts to place the person in a less restrictive facility and two psychiatrists certify the person's danger due to mental illness. Hospitals must submit quarterly de-identified reports to the state detailing extended holds, including reasons for extension, duration beyond 72 hours, and placement outcomes, with reports made public within 60 days. This directly affects general hospitals, emergency departments, and individuals subject to involuntary mental health commitments.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey school districts to provide universal access to free full-day preschool for all 3- and 4-year-old children by a date determined by each district. It establishes preschool expansion aid to support districts that don't yet offer universal free preschool and mandates a "mixed delivery method" combining district programs, licensed child care providers, and Head Start programs. School districts must submit implementation plans by July 1, 2025, with a statewide strategic plan due by July 1, 2026. The bill also requires all school districts to offer full-day kindergarten, with possible waivers if sufficient preschool expansion aid funding exists.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1439 requires health insurance plans (including hospital, medical, health service, and individual policies) to cover orthotic and prosthetic appliances from licensed providers - including podiatrists - when medically necessary for daily activities. It also mandates coverage for *additional* appliances needed for specific sports and recreational activities like running, swimming, skiing, and team sports, as determined by a physician. Insurance plans must reimburse at the same rate as federal Medicare for these appliances. This applies to all relevant health insurance contracts in New Jersey, directly affecting insured individuals needing these devices for mobility or recreation.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public and certain nonpublic schools to offer parents a no-fee option for paying school meals, field trips, activity fees, and other school-related costs. It mandates that payment platforms used by schools must clearly disclose all fees, average annual user costs, and the availability of the no-fee alternative. Schools must include this fee information and the no-fee option in all payment requests sent to parents. The law applies to all school districts and charter schools, taking effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools (grades 7-12) and colleges to print mental health and suicide crisis resources on the back of student ID cards. It revises prior law by replacing the specific requirement to list the NJ Hopeline number with a flexible mandate for schools to include resources determined by education and human services officials. Schools may also add contact information for other services like the National Lifeline or campus crisis centers. The change applies immediately to the next school year following enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that certain legal service plans do not qualify as insurance products under New Jersey law. It defines "legal insurance" as contracts paying for legal services in exchange for regular payments, but explicitly excludes six common arrangements: individual attorney retainers, simple consultation plans, informal workplace legal advice, union-provided employment legal services, federally regulated employee benefit plans, and nonprofit legal aid programs. The law ensures these excluded services remain outside insurance regulations, preventing misclassification. This change affects legal service providers and consumers by maintaining separate regulatory treatment for these specific legal assistance models.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords in New Jersey to disclose lead water hazards to tenants before lease agreements. It mandates written disclosure statements for properties built before 1986 or served by lead service lines (or unknown pipe composition), including health risks and testing information. Landlords must provide educational materials about lead exposure risks, such as flushing water before use or certified filters, and cannot block replacement of lead pipes. The law excludes newer buildings (constructed after 1986) and seasonal rentals from disclosure requirements. It aims to protect tenants in residential units by increasing transparency about lead in drinking water systems.
Maddy summaryS 4683 expands New Jersey's "Daniel's Law" to protect members of the state legislature by prohibiting the disclosure of their home addresses and unpublished telephone numbers. The bill requires public agencies to redact these personal details from government records and establishes a secure portal for legislators to request this protection. Violations could result in civil lawsuits seeking $1,000 per violation and potentially criminal penalties. This expansion follows recent violent attacks against Minnesota lawmakers, aiming to enhance safety for New Jersey legislators who serve in the state's justice system.