Sen. Teresa Ruiz

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to take action against nursing homes that receive three consecutive one-star ratings from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). After two consecutive one-star ratings, the state must warn the facility and may impose sanctions like restricting new Medicaid admissions or reducing payments. For three consecutive one-star ratings, the state must mandate an 18-month improvement plan and may impose severe sanctions, including banning new admissions, removing Medicaid residents, or stopping payments. The bill directly affects nursing homes participating in New Jersey's Medicaid program that fail to meet quality standards, with consequences tied to federal CMS rating outcomes.

Maddy summaryS 2202 creates a new Office of Women’s Services within New Jersey’s Department of Corrections to address the specific needs of female inmates. The office must develop policies and programs covering medical care (including prenatal care), mental health treatment for trauma, substance abuse services, parenting support, and child reunification for all female inmates, with special attention to pregnant or postpartum individuals. The office will be led by a governor-appointed director (subject to Senate approval), who can hire staff under civil service rules. This bill directly affects all women incarcerated in New Jersey state facilities by mandating tailored support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey correctional facilities to provide female inmates with a single dose of Levonorgestrel (Plan B) upon request to prevent pregnancy. It allows inmates to consult with medical professionals about the medication and mandates generic substitutions when possible. The policy directly affects female inmates in state correctional facilities, ensuring access to emergency contraception without requiring a prescription. The bill takes effect three months after enactment, aligning with the medication's standard 72-hour window for effectiveness after potential exposure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of multi-unit buildings with nine or more dwelling units to provide specific maintenance services, including daily cleaning of common areas, snow and ice removal from walkways, waste disposal management, and heating equipment operation. It also allows municipalities to extend these same requirements to buildings with six to eight units. Owners must designate a person or provider (who can be a resident owner, on-site staff, or an off-site provider within 200 feet) and post their contact information prominently. The bill codifies current regulations for larger buildings and gives local governments authority to apply similar rules to smaller properties. (Note: This bill was introduced on January 13, 2026, and is pending in committee; it is not yet law.)

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school bus stop laws to authorize the use of school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It directly affects drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses (including those transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities) and school districts/municipalities that install such systems. Key provisions establish that violations captured by these systems result in a $250 civil penalty (instead of criminal penalties), with collected funds directed to municipal and school safety programs. The bill also clarifies that registered vehicle owners are presumed responsible for violations recorded by the systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2192) requires New Jersey landlords to inspect rental properties within 90 days of the law taking effect to identify lead service lines (pipes connecting water mains to buildings) or lead plumbing. Landlords must then disclose this information to current tenants and provide written notice about lead risks to prospective tenants before new leases are signed. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $500 per offense, with daily violations considered separate offenses. The law directly affects landlords of rental properties and their tenants by mandating transparency about potential lead exposure in drinking water.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies and Medicaid programs in New Jersey to cover screening, prevention, and treatment services for children's behavioral health issues without needing a formal mental health diagnosis. It allows providers to use "at-risk diagnosis" billing codes (like Social Determinants of Health Z-codes) for services such as early screenings and therapy for children under 18. The coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical services, including for children showing potential issues before a diagnosis is made. This applies to all private health plans, state employee health benefits, school employee health plans, and NJ FamilyCare Medicaid programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's existing Attorney General directive to prevent state and local law enforcement from participating in federal immigration enforcement. It prohibits police from stopping, questioning, or arresting people based solely on immigration status, asking about immigration status (except in specific criminal investigations), or sharing personal information like license numbers or addresses with federal immigration authorities. The law explicitly states that police must focus on enforcing New Jersey's criminal laws, not federal immigration law, to maintain community trust and public safety. It directly affects all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officers.

Maddy summaryS 5037, the "Privacy Protection Act," prohibits New Jersey government entities (including state and local agencies) and health care facilities from collecting or sharing specific personal information - such as immigration status, citizenship details, Social Security numbers, and tax IDs - except when necessary for public services like benefits or programs. It requires that any collected information be retained only as long as needed for the service, and bans the sale or sharing of automated license plate recognition data (e.g., vehicle tracking) except under legal orders like court warrants or for election-related purposes. The bill also clarifies that information gathered under this law is not subject to public disclosure under New Jersey’s open records law, with limited exceptions for administering benefits or complying with legal requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Safe Communities Act (S 5036) requires New Jersey’s Attorney General to develop model policies ensuring safety and accessibility at key public locations like schools, hospitals, shelters, and social service offices. These policies must be created within 180 days and adopted by state agencies (e.g., Education, Health, Human Services), which then mandate that institutions comply and post the policies visibly. The bill aims to prevent residents from avoiding essential services due to fear, by setting clear standards for these locations to remain welcoming and secure for all.