Sen. Teresa Ruiz

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families to create policies for detecting, investigating, and preventing child abuse during public health emergencies that involve social distancing or contact restrictions. It mandates that the department establish remote options for investigators and workers to conduct case management, while also promoting public awareness through hotlines, digital platforms, and educational materials about child safety and positive parenting. The legislation also directs the department to analyze child abuse reporting data from the COVID-19 pandemic and submit a comparative report to the Governor and Legislature within one year, including recommendations for future improvements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the President of the United States to expand access to menstrual products in schools nationwide by interpreting Title IX to include free provision of these items. The bill directly affects students who menstruate and aims to address period poverty by ensuring adequate toilet facilities and lenient bathroom policies in federally funded schools. It argues that current Title IX protections should be broadened through federal guidance to prevent educational disparities and health risks associated with lack of access to menstrual hygiene products. The resolution does not mandate funding or policy changes but serves as a formal request to the federal government to consider these expansions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates November of each year as "Transgender Awareness Month" in New Jersey to increase public awareness of transgender issues. It directly affects the state government and citizens by requesting the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging observance of the month with appropriate activities and programs. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic designation to recognize transgender contributions and address challenges the community faces.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey state agencies to provide up to 10 percent of a contract's total value as an advance payment to certified business enterprises that win public contracts. The advance is intended to help these businesses, which include small, minority, women-owned, veteran, and disadvantaged firms, cover initial costs when bidding on construction, goods, services, or professional service contracts. Contractors receiving the advance must pass a proportional share to any certified subcontractors within 60 days, and both contractors and subcontractors must repay the funds if they fail to begin or complete the work. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment and applies to all state agencies responsible for awarding public contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Medicaid to pay primary care and mental health services at rates equal to or higher than Medicare rates, starting July 1, 2026. It directly affects healthcare providers who deliver these services to Medicaid patients, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, midwives, and mental health professionals such as psychologists and licensed clinical social workers. The law ensures reimbursement rates do not decrease from the previous year and applies to both fee-for-service and managed care Medicaid programs. Additionally, the state's human services commissioner must submit an annual report on how these rate changes impact access and quality of care for Medicaid beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the ReadyReturn Program in New Jersey, which would require the Division of Taxation to prepare initial income tax filings for certain low-income residents who typically do not file returns because their earnings fall below the minimum threshold. The program aims to help these individuals access the Earned Income Tax Credit and other benefits by reducing barriers related to accessing forms, receiving documents, or completing paperwork. Additionally, the bill directs several state agencies to use existing tax data to streamline identification and enrollment processes for various social services programs, reducing the burden on residents who must currently complete separate applications for each assistance program. The legislation also includes an appropriation to fund these new initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds $10 million from the Universal Service Fund (an off-budget source) to the NJSHARES-S.M.A.R.T. Program for utility payment assistance in New Jersey. It directly helps homeowners and tenants facing financial hardship with past-due utility bills, including arrearages. The program requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to quickly establish eligibility guidelines, ensuring applicants aren’t receiving duplicate benefits from private insurance or other programs. This supplement builds on an existing $5 million appropriation for the same program in the FY2026 budget.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2689) adds "breastfeeding" to New Jersey's existing anti-discrimination law, making it unlawful for employers to discriminate against employees based on breastfeeding. It directly affects breastfeeding employees and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations, such as break time and a private space, to support breastfeeding at work. The law amends the Law Against Discrimination (P.L.1945, c.169) to explicitly include breastfeeding under protected categories like pregnancy and sex. This creates a clear legal standard for employers to follow, ensuring breastfeeding employees are not treated unfairly in hiring, pay, or workplace conditions.

Maddy summaryS 1376 requires New Jersey public school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects that employ a school psychologist and offer in-person counseling to also provide virtual or remote counseling sessions for students in grades K-12. The bill mandates that schools permit remote sessions unless a school psychologist determines in-person counseling is necessary for a student's well-being. Students retain the right to choose in-person sessions if they prefer, and the law defines "school psychologist" as a certified professional with a New Jersey educational services certificate. This policy change ensures continued access to psychological services for students who cannot attend in-person sessions, such as due to health, transportation, or scheduling needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers with at least 25 employees to provide one additional paid sick day per benefit year to employees who serve as volunteer first responders (such as firefighters, EMTs, or emergency squad members). The extra day must be used specifically for healthcare diagnostic testing recommended by a provider to prevent or diagnose conditions related to the volunteer’s duties. Employers must provide this benefit after the employee completes their first calendar year of service. The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development will establish rules to implement the policy, aiming to support volunteer recruitment and retention by reducing conflicts between paid work and emergency service responsibilities.