Sen. Renee Burgess

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations without requiring patients to pay deductibles, copays, or other cost-sharing. It applies to all types of health insurance in the state, including private insurers, health maintenance organizations, and state employee health programs. Diagnostic exams evaluate abnormalities found in screenings or detected another way, while supplemental exams screen for breast cancer when no abnormality is present but based on personal/family medical history or risk factors like dense breasts. Insurance plans must cover these examinations at the same level as other medical conditions, with no out-of-pocket costs for patients.

Maddy summaryS 4378 allows New Jersey counties and municipalities to voluntarily contribute up to $70,000 annually to nonprofit veterans' organizations that are tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(19). These organizations must provide direct support to veterans, including services like housing assistance, mental health care, career transition help, and food security. The bill specifies that contributions must be used for these veteran-focused services and requires audits if total annual contributions to an organization exceed $70,000. It updates existing law that previously permitted higher contributions ($125,000) for emergency services groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to hire a third party to study whether de-privatizing public utilities (like electricity or water providers) would be feasible and cost-effective. The study must examine two main options: public entities (such as state agencies) fully or partially acquiring utilities, or public entities jointly operating utilities with existing providers. It must analyze short- and long-term costs, benefits, environmental impacts, service quality, ratepayer effects, and revenue from clean energy programs. The Board must complete the study within one year, submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, and the state will appropriate $100,000 to fund the study.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4372) prohibits New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) from approving electric or gas utility rate increases that would raise the average residential customer's bill by more than 2% over any five-year period. It directly affects residential utility customers in New Jersey by limiting cumulative rate hikes on their monthly bills. The key provision requires the BPU to reject any proposed rate increase that projects exceeding this 2% cap over five years. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates May 18 of each year as "Six Triple Eight Day" in New Jersey to honor the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-African American, all-female U.S. Army unit that served during World War II. The resolution commemorates their historic achievement in delivering over 14 million pieces of backlogged mail to U.S. personnel in Europe under difficult conditions. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day. The resolution specifically recognizes that 28 New Jersey women served in the unit, including those from Allentown, where one member was born on May 18.

Maddy summaryBill A4163 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of diseases when supported by medical evidence such as FDA approvals, drug labels, or clinical guidelines. The bill applies to all health insurance plans including individual, group, Medicaid, and health maintenance organization contracts. Insurers must provide coverage without causing unnecessary disruption (like multiple biopsies) and must make prior authorization decisions within 24 hours for urgent requests or 72 hours for non-urgent requests. This ensures patients can access precision medical testing that's clinically supported without excessive administrative barriers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a framework for designating a Public Health Institute in New Jersey to strengthen public health infrastructure. It requires the Commissioner of Health to select a nonprofit entity meeting specific criteria (like being a 501(c)(3) organization with public health expertise) to serve as the Institute. The Institute will coordinate with state health agencies, provide administrative support, develop programs to address racial health disparities, and bridge gaps between public and private health services. A new Public Health Institute Fund within the Department of Health will provide dedicated funding for the Institute’s operations and initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time teachers can return to service under New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) after leaving their positions. Specifically, it increases the window from 10 to 15 years for teachers who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service when they voluntarily terminated. The change applies to those who haven't withdrawn their retirement contributions and wish to resume membership. This adjustment allows eligible teachers more time to return to teaching roles without losing pension eligibility. The policy directly affects public school teachers in New Jersey who leave employment under these specific circumstances.

Maddy summarySJR 149 designates May 18 of each year as "Six Triple Eight Day" in New Jersey to commemorate the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-African American, all-female U.S. Army unit that served during World War II. The resolution honors the unit’s efforts in delivering 14 million pieces of backlogged military mail across Europe under challenging conditions, including racism and poor working environments. It specifically recognizes that 28 women from New Jersey served in the battalion, including members like Gladys Eva Debman-Blount and Marion VanOrkey. As a commemorative resolution, it requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging observance but contains no binding policy changes.

Maddy summaryS 3952 amends New Jersey law to strengthen penalties for improper payments related to patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities, recovery residences (sober living homes), and clinical laboratories. It elevates violations from a fourth-degree to a third-degree crime, imposing an automatic $50,000 fine for anyone - including health care providers, facilities, non-profits, or recovery residences - who makes or receives payments tied to referrals based on patient volume, treatment duration, or insurance benefits. The bill explicitly clarifies that payments not varying by these factors remain permitted. This law takes effect immediately and directly affects entities involved in referring patients to substance use disorder treatment services.