Maddy summaryS 3098 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of medical conditions when supported by medical evidence. The bill defines biomarker testing as analysis of tissue, blood, or other biospecimens for biomarkers, and specifies coverage must be provided when tests align with FDA approvals, drug indications, CMS determinations, or nationally-recognized clinical guidelines. Insurers must process prior authorization requests within 72 hours for non-urgent cases and 24 hours for urgent cases, while minimizing disruptions like multiple biopsies. This requirement applies to all health insurance plans, including Medicaid, which must provide coverage with no cost-sharing for beneficiaries.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1192 requires health insurers to cover prescription drugs for serious mental illnesses without prior authorization or step therapy (where patients must try cheaper drugs first). It applies to conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and PTSD as defined in the DSM. Insurers must also submit annual reports to the Department of Banking and Insurance detailing how they apply medical necessity standards for mental health coverage to ensure they’re no stricter than for physical health treatments. This bill directly affects health insurers and beneficiaries in New Jersey seeking mental health medication coverage.
Maddy summaryS 4298, the "Healthy Smiles Act," increases NJ FamilyCare's fee-for-service reimbursement rates for pediatric dental services by 20% starting July 2025, directly affecting dental providers and the 20% of New Jersey residents enrolled in NJ FamilyCare (primarily low-income children). It requires managed care organizations to pay providers at least the same rate as the new fee-for-service rate for identical services. The bill mandates annual rate adjustments based on the Northeast region's Consumer Price Index to keep pace with inflation. These changes aim to improve access to dental care by addressing historically low reimbursement rates that limited provider participation.
Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 1995 law (P.L.1995, c.63) that restricted how public college student groups could fund legislative advocacy. Currently, the law prohibited mandatory fees for student groups working to influence legislation from appearing on tuition bills, though optional fees with student approval were permitted. The repeal removes these restrictions, allowing student organizations to assess fees for legislative activity without the prior approval requirements. This directly affects students at New Jersey's public colleges and universities who participate in or support student-led advocacy groups.
Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's current Medicaid policy of providing coverage for eligible pregnant women for a 365-day period (one year) beginning on the last day of pregnancy, rather than the previous 60-day postpartum period. It applies to pregnant individuals whose income does not exceed the highest income eligibility level established for pregnant women under New Jersey's Medicaid plan. The bill formalizes a policy that has been implemented through budget language and the NJ FamilyCare 1115 Demonstration since fiscal year 2022. This aligns with a federal option established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which was made permanent by the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023, allowing states to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Police to notify local law enforcement when a person prohibited from purchasing firearms attempts to buy one. Specifically, if a National Instant Criminal Background Check reveals someone has been convicted of certain serious crimes (such as aggravated assault, domestic violence, robbery, or gun-related offenses) or has had firearms seized due to a domestic violence restraining order or extreme risk protection order, the State Police must inform the local law enforcement agency in the person's municipality. The notification would be sent to the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality, or the appropriate law enforcement officer if the municipality lacks its own agency. This change enhances communication between State Police and local law enforcement regarding prohibited firearm purchasers without altering the background check process itself.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to hold adults criminally liable if a minor accesses an improperly stored firearm they control and uses it to commit a crime. It raises the age of "minor" from 16 to 18, removes the requirement that firearms be "loaded" for violations, and extends the law to cover firearms in vehicles. If a minor gains access to a firearm due to improper storage and then uses it unlawfully, the adult facilitator faces a second-degree crime charge (5-10 years imprisonment or fines up to $150,000), rather than the previous third-degree offense. The bill specifically targets adults who fail to secure firearms in homes or vehicles, aiming to prevent minors from accessing weapons used in crimes.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits social media platforms from targeting advertisements for vaping products (including e-cigarettes, vape pens, and related accessories) to individuals under age 21. It applies to mainstream platforms like Instagram or TikTok that allow public profiles and user connections, but excludes business communication tools and FDA-approved nicotine products. Violating this law carries civil penalties of up to $250,000 per violation, enforceable through New Jersey courts. The law directly affects social media companies and aims to restrict underage exposure to vaping marketing.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey Department of Education program to support school districts in creating "grow-your-own" teacher programs for hiring teachers of students with disabilities. It directly affects school districts and current school employees (non-certified staff) who may become certified teachers through district-supported training and mentoring. To qualify for DOE funding, districts must demonstrate a shortage of such teachers, commit to covering certification costs (like tuition), and detail training plans, including mentorship and flexible scheduling. The DOE will prioritize districts with the greatest shortages and ensure regional diversity in funding allocation.
Maddy summaryThe "Safe and Sanitary Rental Housing Act" requires landlords to register with detailed information (including contact details and Social Security numbers for corporate owners) and mandates 90 days of registration before courts can issue eviction judgments. It establishes a tiered inspection system for multiple dwellings based on violation history, with more frequent inspections for properties with unresolved safety issues, and requires landlords who accept federal rental subsidies to register for 90 days before receiving rehabilitation funding. The act ensures courts address habitability violations by directing tenant rent payments toward repairs when non-payment is due to unsafe conditions. This bill directly affects landlords and tenants in rental properties, particularly in multiple-dwelling buildings.