Maddy summaryS 700 requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DHS) to establish a three-year Obstetric Discrimination Prevention and Mitigation Pilot Program. The bill directly targets Black mothers, who face higher maternal mortality rates due to systemic discrimination in maternity care, as highlighted by CDC data showing Black women are 2.6 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. Key provisions mandate the pilot program to address obstetric discrimination - such as dismissal of concerns or biased treatment - as a safety issue in hospitals, moving beyond current systems that focus only on clinical outcomes. The program will develop tools to measure, prevent, and mitigate discrimination, aiming to improve care quality and safety for Black mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 3966 eliminates the statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of human trafficking, meaning prosecutors can file charges at any time, regardless of when the crime occurred. It extends the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits by victims from 5 to 10 years, with the deadline starting at the later of: 10 years after the trafficking occurred, 10 years after the victim turns 18 (if they were a minor at the time), or two years after the victim discovers the injury. The bill also pauses the clock during a continuing trafficking situation or if the victim has a disability (e.g., mental illness or intellectual disability), and prevents defendants from claiming the statute has expired if they caused the victim to delay filing. These changes align New Jersey’s civil statute of limitations with federal law.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to receive regular cancer and cardiovascular screenings starting three years after employment and every three years thereafter, covering 11 specific cancer types including colon, lung, breast, and prostate cancers. It establishes a dedicated fund to cover these screening costs by appropriating $20 million from the State General Fund and adding a $10 surcharge to motor vehicle fines. Public employers not participating in the State Health Benefits Program can be reimbursed up to $2,500 per officer every three years for these screenings. The fund is designed to carry over unused funds year to year, ensuring consistent funding for these screenings. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county clerks to automatically mail an application for a mail-in ballot to any registered voter who turns 18. It specifically applies to 17-year-old registered voters who will be 18 by the next general election, as permitted under current law. The key mechanism is sending the application on the voter's 18th birthday, rather than requiring them to request it. The state will reimburse counties for any additional costs related to implementing this change.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 3927) prohibits real estate appraisers from considering protected characteristics like race, religion, gender identity, or national origin when valuing properties. It establishes penalties for discriminatory appraisals, including restitution for affected parties, mandatory anti-bias training, and escalating fines up to $50,000 for repeat violations. The bill requires real estate professionals to provide free information about reporting discriminatory appraisals to the Division on Civil Rights within three days of key interactions, such as mortgage applications or property sales. Additionally, it mandates that the Division on Civil Rights collect and report demographic data from complainants to the Governor and Legislature by July 2026. The bill directly affects licensed appraisers, real estate brokers, and mortgage professionals in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryS 3611 allocates $1 million to the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute to study and map mental health care access for children. The bill requires creating a visual journey map of the steps families take to access services, identifying eligibility rules, financial barriers, and disparities by race/ethnicity. It mandates stakeholder input from providers, administrators, and families across northern, central, and southern NJ regions. The institute must submit two reports within 13 months: one mapping the care journey and another summarizing barriers, disparities, and policy recommendations for improving pediatric mental health services. This study directly affects children and families seeking mental health care in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's affordable housing voucher program to cover homeownership costs, allowing low-income households to use state vouchers for down payments or monthly mortgage assistance instead of just rent. It specifically reserves funds for seniors aged 62+, veterans who completed the "Veterans Haven" program, and families participating in a self-sufficiency initiative. The program also creates a Home Repair Emergency Assistance Fund to cover necessary home repairs for participants. This change, now law as P.L.2024, c.98, directly affects eligible residents seeking homeownership support through the state's rental assistance framework.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey optometrists' scope of practice to include prescribing pharmaceutical agents (including controlled substances for eye conditions), administering immunizations for coronavirus, flu, and shingles (for patients 18+), and performing minor procedures like removing superficial foreign bodies, treating chalazions, and simple ophthalmologic treatments (e.g., trabeculoplasty) using topical anesthesia. It explicitly prohibits invasive eye surgery, orbital procedures, or general anesthesia. The law requires optometrists to report administered immunizations to the state's immunization registry and mandates they follow CDC guidelines for vaccine administration. This directly affects optometrists by broadening their clinical capabilities and patients by increasing access to certain eye care services within defined limits.
Maddy summaryS 3492 creates a "Reproductive Health Care Access Fund" to address gaps in reproductive health care access in New Jersey, particularly noting that five southern counties have no identifiable abortion providers. The fund will support three specific programs: training for health care professionals through the Reproductive Health Care Clinical Training Program, security grants for clinics facing threats through the Reproductive Health Care Security Grant Program, and loans for facility improvements through the Reproductive Health Care Facility Loan Program. These programs will be administered by state agencies including the Department of Law and Public Safety and the Office of Homeland Security. The bill also requires a statewide needs assessment to examine gaps in reproductive health care access and the impact of out-of-state restrictions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's four-year public colleges to create and maintain a reproductive health services plan for students. The plan must ensure access to contraception (including emergency contraception), STI testing/treatment, prenatal care, and abortion services through on-campus clinics or verified off-campus referrals. It also mandates 24-hour access to over-the-counter contraception via campus retail or vending machines, along with reproductive health education. County colleges must develop a referral network connecting students to local reproductive health providers. The bill clarifies institutions aren't required to directly provide services like abortion care.