Sen. Renee Burgess

Maddy summaryS 1659 requires construction permit applicants in New Jersey to disclose the anticipated funding sources and amounts for their projects. This applies to most construction projects, but excludes single-family homes, dwelling unit renovations/repairs, and small-scale alterations (e.g., to buildings with fewer than three units). Applicants must provide this funding information when applying for a permit and update it before receiving a certificate of occupancy. The bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create implementing rules within 180 days of enactment. It does not apply to residential renovations or single-family home projects as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2996, eliminates physician collaboration requirements for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey, allowing them to practice independently without supervision or joint protocols. It directly affects APNs - registered nurses with specialized training in primary and specialty care - and aims to improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved communities and for populations facing barriers like low income or transportation challenges. The key provision removes statutory restrictions that previously limited APNs' scope of practice, aligning New Jersey with 24 states that grant full practice authority. The bill cites pandemic-era waivers (Executive Order No. 112) that allowed similar independent practice without adverse incidents, and notes APNs could reduce healthcare access disparities by over 38% if restrictions are lifted.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new New Jersey program to improve lung cancer screening awareness and access for first responders and veterans. The Department of Health will coordinate outreach and referrals to help these high-risk groups learn about and access low-dose computed tomography screening, which is recommended for adults aged 50 to 80 with significant smoking histories. The program will work with existing public and private coverage options to remove barriers to screening for these populations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution recognizes the history of women's suffrage in New Jersey and honors the first women who voted in the state more than 200 years ago. It acknowledges that New Jersey originally granted voting rights to certain women in 1776, expanded those rights in 1790 and 1797, but later restricted suffrage to white men in 1807 and 1844. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies to the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, the New Jersey National Organization for Women, and the National Women's History Museum.

Maddy summaryS 593 requires New Jersey county clerks to automatically mail a mail-in ballot application to every registered voter who is 17 years old upon their 18th birthday. This directly affects 17-year-old registered voters who will turn 18 before the next general election. The bill mandates that counties send these applications without voter action, and the state will reimburse counties for mailing costs up to the standard rate for a two-ounce first-class letter. The policy aims to simplify mail-in ballot access for newly eligible voters at age 18.

Maddy summaryS 3023 protects residents of long-term care facilities (like nursing homes and assisted living facilities) and long-term acute care hospitals by preventing facility staff, owners, or financially benefiting parties from managing residents' finances or serving as their legal representatives. It requires facilities to use standardized admission forms developed by the Department of Health, with input from stakeholders, and prohibits residents from signing non-standard documents during admission. The bill also gives residents a legal right to sue if facilities violate these protections, allowing recovery of damages, attorney fees, and punitive penalties for financial exploitation. These changes directly affect residents, their families, and facility operators by creating new safeguards against financial abuse during admission and care.

Maddy summaryS 712 requires New Jersey's Department of State to create a public "Reproductive Health Travel Advisory" to help residents traveling while pregnant make informed decisions. The advisory will categorize all U.S. states using a color-coded system: "Blue" (full access without legal risk), "Yellow" (restricted access with potential legal consequences), and "Red" (extreme restrictions risking denial of emergency care). It will detail each state's laws on abortion bans, waiting periods, insurance coverage, and legal protections for patients and providers. The advisory must be posted on the state website and updated whenever another state changes its reproductive healthcare laws. This directly affects New Jersey residents who may need to travel during pregnancy for medical emergencies.

Maddy summarySJR 30 designates October of each year as "Eczema Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The resolution aims to increase public awareness about eczema - a skin condition affecting over 13% of New Jersey residents (and 32 million Americans) - and foster community support for those living with it. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with awareness activities. The bill has no funding or regulatory provisions; it is purely symbolic, calling for educational outreach to reduce stigma and improve understanding of the condition. This resolution was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Health Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's bias intimidation law to explicitly include Sikhs as a protected class, allowing law enforcement to prosecute hate crimes targeting individuals based on their Sikh identity. The legislation also appropriates $100,000 in funding, likely to support enforcement and community outreach efforts. By adding Sikhs to the state's existing bias intimidation protections, the bill aims to address incidents of discrimination and violence against Sikhs, who are often mistaken for Muslims and have faced increased hate crimes following the September 11 attacks. The measure reflects concerns about rising anti-Sikh prejudice and the need for legal safeguards for this community within New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires midwives and physicians who provide obstetric care to give pregnant patients written, evidence-based information about all available birthing options (including hospital births, home births, scheduled procedures, and associated health risks) before labor begins. The information must be provided in English and at least seven common non-English languages spoken by limited-English-proficiency patients in New Jersey, based on census data. Providers must also offer annual language-appropriate education on these options during pregnancy. The law applies directly to pregnant patients receiving care from certified midwives or physicians in New Jersey, aiming to improve informed decision-making.