Sen. Renee Burgess

Maddy summaryThis bill requires companies and research facilities in New Jersey that use cats, dogs, or ferrets for product testing or research to assess these animals for adoption suitability after testing ends. If deemed suitable, they must offer the animals to animal rescue organizations or private individuals for adoption, following specific procedures. Facilities must report details like animal numbers, assessment results, and adoption outcomes to the Department of Health, with penalties of up to $50,000 for noncompliance. The law directly affects testing facilities, research institutions, and animal rescue organizations, aiming to provide a pathway for animals used in testing to find new homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Women’s Menstrual Health Program within New Jersey’s Department of Health to identify and assist individuals experiencing menstrual symptoms potentially linked to endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The program requires healthcare providers to screen patients using evidence-based guidelines, provide referrals for treatment, and offer education to both medical staff and the public. It mandates the creation of online resources with clinical guidelines for providers and public materials about these conditions. Patient data collected will be kept confidential and used solely for improving care, without disclosing individual identities. The program directly affects menstruating individuals who display symptoms of these disorders, aiming to improve early detection and management.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to encourage health care facilities and licensed pediatricians, family practice physicians, and other health care professionals to implement the national "Reach Out and Read" program. The program promotes early literacy by having health care providers discuss age-appropriate reading with parents during well-child visits for children aged 6 months to 5 years. The DOH must provide printed and online resources about the program and post a link to its website for facilities to apply as program sites. The goal is to support children's language development, strengthen parent-child bonds, and integrate literacy guidance into routine pediatric care, based on evidence showing benefits for early childhood development.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1676 requires doctors and nurse practitioners specializing in family medicine, obstetrics, or gynecology to ask female patients with flu-like symptoms (such as fever or vomiting) about their menstrual cycle and recent tampon use during medical visits. Specifically, providers must inquire whether a patient has an active period or last had one, when they last used a tampon, and if symptoms began during or after tampon use. They must also inform patients about toxic shock syndrome (TSS) symptoms and offer TSS testing if symptoms align with tampon use during a menstrual cycle. This law directly affects female patients visiting these providers for flu-like illnesses and aims to improve early TSS detection.

Maddy summaryS 2243 establishes a five-year pilot program to create "community schools" in New Jersey, defined as public schools coordinating educational, health, family, and community services through partnerships. It directly affects one public, charter, or renaissance school per county, which will receive support from a site coordinator hired by a university or nonprofit managing the program. Key mechanisms include training for schools, a technical assistance center for sharing best practices, and a dedicated fund for program costs using state and private funds. The pilot aims to integrate services year-round but does not mandate permanent changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $1 billion in supplemental state funding specifically for after-school recreation programs in urban areas. It requires that funds be allocated only to municipalities belonging to the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association (NJUMA) and administered by the Commissioner of Education through a formal application process. The funds must be used for repairing or building playgrounds and pools, reopening closed parks, and supporting equipment for youth sports, mentorship programs, and after-school/summer educational activities - including required computer science and home economics education. The bill aims to improve recreational infrastructure and programming for youth in eligible urban communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover emergency contraceptives purchased over the counter without needing a prescription or provider approval. It directly affects Medicaid recipients who currently must pay out-of-pocket for these products when obtained without a prescription. The key provision mandates that Medicaid managed care organizations include this coverage in their plans, removing the requirement for a prescription or "authorization" (defined as any provider approval). This change would improve access to emergency contraception by eliminating unnecessary medical visits for coverage, aligning Medicaid coverage with over-the-counter availability.

Maddy summarySJR 16 designates October of each year as "Eczema Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with activities that raise awareness about eczema. It directly affects New Jersey residents living with eczema (affecting over 13% of the state's population) by promoting greater public understanding of the condition. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to reduce stigma and foster community support through annual recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 292) removes a past conviction for a serious criminal offense as a barrier to serving on a jury in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals with prior convictions under New Jersey, state, or federal law who were previously disqualified from jury service. The bill amends state law by deleting the disqualifying clause in N.J.S.2B:20-1, making these individuals eligible for jury duty. The change applies immediately upon enactment, updating jury selection lists to include qualified citizens with past convictions.

Maddy summaryS 1813 requires New Jersey nursing homes to provide annual training to staff on behavioral health issues affecting residents. Specifically, it mandates that certified nurse aides, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and other direct-care staff receive training covering sensitivity to mental health challenges, information about depression and psychiatric disorders, and appropriate medication use. The training program must be established by the state Health Commissioner in consultation with the Human Services Commissioner. This bill directly affects nursing homes and their frontline care staff, aiming to improve resident care through standardized staff education. (Note: The bill was introduced in January 2024 and is pending committee review.)