Sen. Renee Burgess

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the intentional addition of carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, flame-resistant chemicals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to synthetic hair products sold in New Jersey. It specifically targets products made from artificial fibers like polyester, nylon, or acrylic that mimic human hair. Businesses manufacturing, selling, or distributing these products must comply with the ban, which prohibits both the chemicals themselves and products emitting VOCs during normal use. Violations carry fines up to $20,000 per offense and may trigger cease-and-desist orders or additional penalties under New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act. The law takes effect 13 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords from conducting hard credit inquiries (which can lower a tenant's credit score) when screening applicants for affordable housing. Landlords may only use soft credit inquiries (with applicant consent) for these applicants, as soft inquiries do not impact credit scores. The bill also requires credit agencies to count multiple hard credit inquiries for rental applications within one month as a single inquiry. Landlords violating these rules face $100 penalties for the first violation in a year, $100 for the second, and $200 for each subsequent violation in the same year, with the state required to post related information on its website within six months.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4592) imposes a 30% surtax on electric public utilities in New Jersey that earn "windfall profits" - defined as taxable income exceeding 20% above their five-year average. The surtax applies to utilities subject to New Jersey's Corporation Business Tax and is calculated on the excess income amount. All revenue collected from this surtax must be distributed back to the utility's ratepayers (customers) proportionally, with no credits allowed against the surtax except for specific payment adjustments. This policy directly affects electric utilities and returns funds to their customers, rather than adding to state general revenue.

Maddy summaryS 3429 expands New Jersey's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students with children. It directly affects students enrolled in higher education programs who meet existing income, asset, and residency requirements. The bill amends eligibility rules to add these students to the program's qualifying categories, without changing other existing criteria. The legislation also requires the Department of Human Services to seek federal funding for these expanded services and update related regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover assisted living services for individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses who can perform basic self-care tasks (like bathing and dressing) but cannot manage more complex daily living activities necessary for independent living (such as managing medications, following treatment plans, or handling finances). The bill defines "instrumental activities of daily living" as those complex tasks needed for independent community living, and mandates that the Commissioner of Human Services establish a functional assessment process using medical records, psychiatric history, and input from healthcare providers and family members to determine eligibility. The Commissioner must also apply for necessary federal Medicaid plan amendments to implement this coverage, which would directly affect individuals with serious mental illnesses who currently lack access to Medicaid-covered assisted living services. This policy change would expand Medicaid coverage to include a specific type of assisted living care that is currently not covered under New Jersey's Medicaid program.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 114) urges Congress to pass the "Find It Early Act" (H.R. 3086), a federal bill introduced by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. The resolution highlights that women with dense breast tissue - approximately half of women over 40 - face challenges detecting breast cancer early with standard mammograms, and additional screenings like ultrasounds or MRIs are often not fully covered by insurance. It emphasizes that requiring insurance coverage for these supplemental screenings would improve affordability and access for women at higher risk, potentially increasing early detection rates (where 5-year survival is 99%). The resolution does not create new law but formally requests Congress enact this existing bill.

Maddy summaryThe NJ Healthy Schools Act (S 4560) prohibits schools participating in federally funded or assisted meal programs from serving, selling, or allowing third parties to sell ultraprocessed foods during the school day, effective September 2026. It defines ultraprocessed foods as those containing specific additives like potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, and synthetic dyes (such as FD&C Yellow 5, Red 40, and Blue 1). Schools must certify compliance using a standardized form developed by the New Jersey Department of Education, which will maintain an annual public list of compliant schools. The law does not restrict parents from providing ultraprocessed foods to their children during school hours. This measure aims to limit student access to foods containing certain additives potentially linked to health concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies (like the Department of Community Affairs and Board of Public Utilities) to review and potentially raise income limits for residential customers to qualify for utility bill assistance or energy efficiency programs. Within one year of a specific energy affordability proceeding, agencies must assess factors like aligning thresholds across programs and costs, and seek public input before increasing limits. The goal is to expand access for low- and moderate-income households, ensuring they aren't eligible for multiple energy efficiency programs while potentially broadening participation. It directly affects residents seeking help with utility costs or energy-saving home upgrades.

Maddy summaryS 4366 requires New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement to study which words and phrases in gambling advertisements most effectively encourage responsible gambling and deter problem gambling. The study will evaluate factors like message placement, font size, and effectiveness with specific groups including problem gamblers, self-excluded persons, and underage individuals. After completing the study within 12 months, the Division will develop 3-10 key phrases to be included in all casino and sports pool advertisements, in addition to the existing "If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER" message. The bill also restricts gambling ads near schools, college campuses, and from targeting underage or self-excluded persons.

Maddy summarySJR 164 designates March 17 each year as "Profound Autism Day" in New Jersey to raise awareness about people with profound autism and their caregivers. It does not create new policies or funding but requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation recognizing this day. The resolution highlights that people with profound autism often require 24/7 care, have severe intellectual disabilities or minimal communication abilities, and face higher rates of health challenges and exclusion from support programs, as noted in a 2023 CDC study showing 26.7% of autistic children in the U.S. have profound autism. This designation aims to foster inclusion for a group frequently marginalized in research and services.