Sen. Renee Burgess

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's state pension and annuity funds must stop investing in the 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies, defined by carbon content in their oil, gas, and coal reserves. Funds must divest from these companies within one year (two years for coal companies), though they may temporarily pause divestment if fund values drop below 99.5% of their hypothetical value without divestment. Annual reports on progress and investments sold will be required, with transparency mandated to the Governor, Legislature, and Attorney General. The bill directly affects New Jersey's public employee retirement funds and their investment management.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey Medicaid to cover FDA-approved at-home stress tests for pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies. These tests monitor fetal heart rate, fetal movement, and uterine activity and can be conducted in 20-40 minute sessions under clinical oversight. The bill aims to increase access to these tests, as many women with high-risk pregnancies currently do not undergo prescribed testing due to logistical challenges requiring frequent in-person visits. Coverage would be provided when federal funding is available, as specified in the amended Medicaid statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1252, the "Michael Fisher Law") requires municipal recreation departments and nonprofit youth sports organizations (like Little Leagues, soccer leagues, and police athletic leagues) to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) available on-site at all youth athletic events and practices held on public fields. It allows compliance if a certified first responder (such as a trained coach or athletic trainer) with an AED is present. The law also provides legal immunity to organizations and their staff for acquiring or using AEDs. The requirement applies to events on municipal, county, school, or publicly-owned fields and takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryS 1210 requires owners of venues hosting large public gatherings (1,000+ people) and youth athletic events to keep an automatic external defibrillator (AED) on-site and accessible at all times. It mandates that these venues store the AED in a central, unlocked location near seating, train staff in CPR and AED use, and ensure at least one certified person is present during events to respond to cardiac emergencies. The bill also requires venues to create a cardiac response protocol, notify emergency services of the AED’s location, and mark it with visible signage. Non-compliance results in civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation, with immunity from liability for proper AED use.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every New Jersey public school to employ at least two full-time staff members with mental health expertise - specifically licensed school counselors or school psychologists - beginning in the first full school year after enactment. Schools with over 500 students must add additional staff in proportion to their enrollment size. The law applies directly to all local school boards and mandates specific staffing ratios to address student mental health needs. It takes effect immediately upon enactment, with full implementation starting in the next school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits harassing or taking specific wildlife species - including bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, and others - at competitive events where participants are rewarded for capturing them (e.g., contests offering prizes for wildlife). It bans organizing, promoting, or participating in such events, except for authorized field trials. Violators face a disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months in jail or $1,000 fine) and a five-year suspension of wildlife licenses and taking privileges. Injured wildlife must be taken to a licensed rehabilitator or vet, and killed wildlife remains are forfeited to the Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in New Jersey hospitals, ambulatory surgery facilities, developmental centers, and psychiatric hospitals. It requires facilities to maintain specific ratios (such as 1:4 for medical/surgical units and 1:2 for critical care) and implement an acuity-based staffing system to adjust for patient needs. Facilities that violate these requirements face civil penalties, with fines deposited into a dedicated fund for nursing recruitment, retention programs, and student loan forgiveness. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities and their nursing staff, aiming to improve patient safety through mandated staffing standards.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S 2555 regulates residential mental health treatment facilities by establishing licensing requirements and care standards. It mandates that facilities provide 24/7 care consistent with ASAM's Level 3.5 standards for patients who don't need hospitalization, limit treatment duration to prepare patients for community care, and prohibit retrospective medical necessity reviews. Facilities must obtain a license from the Commissioner of Health, demonstrate compliance with minimum standards, and cannot operate at the same location as substance use disorder facilities. The bill also exempts these facilities from New Jersey's certificate of need requirements for facility expansions or modifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State of New Jersey to annually reimburse municipalities for the full cost of exempting disabled veterans' property from local property taxes. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities that provide this exemption under existing law (P.L.1948, c.259). The key mechanism mandates the state pay each municipality 102% of the total tax value of disabled veterans' exemptions, covering both lost revenue and administrative costs. Municipalities must certify exemption numbers and amounts by June 1 each year, and the state will fund this through the existing property tax system. This replaces the current practice where municipalities alone absorbed these costs, which sometimes led to higher taxes for other residents or reduced services.

Maddy summaryS 2549 establishes a 17-member "Student Mental Health Task Force" to address mental health challenges among New Jersey students, including depression, anxiety, and stress. The task force will survey existing mental health resources in schools and communities, evaluate counseling programs, study funding needs, and examine successful approaches from other states. It includes agency leaders, school representatives, mental health experts, and community members, and must issue a final report to the Governor, Legislature, and all school districts within one year. The bill aims to improve student access to mental health services to support educational success, without specifying new funding or direct program changes.