Sen. Renee Burgess

Maddy summarySR 53 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late Congressman William J. Pascrell, Jr., who served New Jersey for 36 years in state and federal office. It specifically recognizes his founding role in the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, which advocates for research, treatment, and policy support for traumatic and acquired brain injuries (TBI/ABI). The resolution urges New Jersey's current and future U.S. congressional representatives to join and actively support this bipartisan task force. It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges Pascrell's legacy and encourages continued advocacy for brain injury awareness and research.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain group homes for adults with developmental disabilities (receiving Tier C services from New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities) to install video-only electronic monitoring devices in common areas **only when all residents and their legal representatives consent**. Key provisions include: no forced consent for current residents, written consent from new residents, annual reminders of the right to request monitoring, and the ability for residents to withdraw consent anytime. Devices must be unobstructed, recordings kept for 90 days, and residents/representatives can access footage upon request. The bill ensures monitoring is consent-based and does not affect housing placement for those who decline.

Maddy summaryS 2257 requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover family planning and reproductive health care services - including abortion, contraception, counseling, and related medical care - without cost-sharing. It directly affects health insurers, Medicaid, and medical providers by mandating comprehensive coverage and prohibiting medical malpractice insurance companies from penalizing providers for offering legally protected reproductive care. The bill defines covered services to include abortion procedures, emergency care, genetic testing, and well-baby care, while explicitly excluding childbirth. This policy aims to remove financial barriers, particularly for low-income individuals, people of color, and those in rural areas, ensuring access to reproductive health services without insurance restrictions.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2766 allows owners of motorcycles and passenger cars to display only one license plate (on the rear) instead of the current requirement for two plates (front and rear). Existing owners with two plates can return one to the Motor Vehicle Commission for free and switch to a single rear plate. New owners can request a single plate during registration, and using one plate will not violate state law. This change simplifies registration requirements for these vehicle types without altering safety or enforcement standards.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1447 establishes a state heat stress safety standard and prevention program for workers. It requires employers across all industries (including agriculture, construction, and indoor settings without climate control) to implement written heat safety plans by June 1, 2025. Key provisions include providing potable water under 59°F, mandatory rest breaks in shaded/cool areas, heat exposure monitoring, emergency response protocols, and heat alert systems for forecasted heatwaves. The law mandates employer-developed plans to prevent heat-related illness, requiring worker input and language accessibility for non-English speakers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey Out-of-School Time Advisory Commission to review before-school, after-school, and summer programs for children. The 23-member commission includes state education and human services agency heads (as ex officio members) and 19 public members appointed by the Governor, representing organizations like schools, parents, child care providers, and youth development experts. The commission’s duties include assessing current programs, examining funding sources, studying access across urban/suburban/rural areas, and recommending improvements to program quality and accountability. It must submit an interim report within one year and a final report within two years, after which the commission will expire. The bill does not change existing funding or programs but creates a review body to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey optometrists' scope of practice to include administering vaccines for coronaviruses, influenza, and shingles (for patients 18+), prescribing certain medications (including controlled substances under specific conditions), and performing limited eye procedures like laser treatments and minor surgeries. It requires optometrists to follow CDC vaccine guidelines, report immunizations to the state system, and avoid invasive surgeries or general anesthesia. The changes clarify that optometrists must adhere to medical standards for pharmaceutical use and cannot perform procedures requiring full-thickness eye incisions or orbital surgery. This modernizes optometric care while maintaining safety boundaries for patient treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to reimburse local municipalities 102% of the property tax costs they incur when granting total property tax exemptions to disabled veterans. It directly affects municipalities that provide these exemptions under existing law (P.L.1948, c.259), which currently absorb the cost of the exemption. Key provisions include annual certifications by tax assessors (by June 1) and county boards (by June 15) detailing the number and dollar amount of exemptions granted, with the state using this data to calculate reimbursements. The bill also amends tax reporting rules to separately track these exemptions in county tax tables without including them in the taxable property base. This ensures municipalities aren’t financially burdened by the exemption program while maintaining transparency in tax administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Safe and Sanitary Rental Housing Act," requiring landlords to register with local authorities within 30 days of creating a new tenancy or building occupancy. Landlords must provide detailed information including owner contact details, emergency contacts, and maintenance staff locations. The law also mandates a 90-day registration period before landlords can pursue eviction proceedings and ties eligibility for state housing subsidies to this registration requirement. It directly affects landlords of rental properties, particularly multi-unit buildings, and aims to improve tenant safety through stronger accountability measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill equalizes retirement benefits for New Jersey teachers by removing tiered membership in the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). It moves all current non-retired TPAF members to the same benefit tier as those who joined before July 2007, and requires enrollment of public school employees meeting salary but not hour requirements. Educators in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) can automatically transfer service credit to TPAF (without transferring contributions), with an opt-out option within six months. It also expands disability retirement eligibility for current long-term disability recipients, requiring applications within two years of enactment.