Sen. Teresa Ruiz

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the scope of practice for licensed audiologists in New Jersey, allowing them to select, prescribe, and order hearing aids in addition to their current ability to dispense and fit them. To qualify, audiologists must complete an accredited program of coursework and clinical training covering these specific services. The change aligns New Jersey law with new federal regulations that created a distinct category for prescription hearing aids. It directly affects licensed audiologists who meet the training requirements and their patients seeking prescription hearing aids.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Mental and Behavioral Health for Hispanics and Latinos Act" to address mental health disparities in New Jersey. It requires the Commissioner of Health, working with community organizations, to create a culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach strategy focused on reducing stigma, increasing awareness of common mental health symptoms, and providing information on evidence-based treatments tailored to Hispanic and Latino communities. The strategy must address pandemic impacts, involve community members in development, and promote a holistic health approach. The bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to fund this initiative and mandates annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on progress in improving mental health outcomes for these populations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4035) requires all New Jersey state and county correctional facilities to provide female inmates with free feminine hygiene products - such as tampons and sanitary pads - in multiple absorbency levels upon request. It amends existing law (P.L.2019, c.288) to replace the current requirement for "standard" products with a mandate for "varying absorbency levels" to better meet individual needs. The policy directly affects incarcerated women in all New Jersey correctional facilities, ensuring access to appropriate menstrual products without cost. This change updates current provisions that previously only required basic products to be available.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" within the Department of Transportation, consisting of 13 state agency representatives (including Transportation, Health, and Public Safety officials). The commission’s primary duty is to develop a statewide action plan by 2040 aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries through engineering, education, and enforcement strategies focused on equitable road safety for all users. Key mechanisms include creating a public data portal for crash statistics, requiring annual public hearings and reports to the Governor and Legislature, and advising on policy changes to support safer transportation infrastructure. The commission must adopt its action plan within 12 months of the bill’s effective date and host public feedback sessions before finalizing it. This is a procedural bill creating a study body, not a direct policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" within the Department of Transportation to develop strategies for eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040. The 13-member commission - including agency heads from transportation, public safety, health, and environmental departments - will create a statewide action plan, promote data transparency through a public safety portal, and advise state and local governments on equitable road safety improvements. It requires annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature on progress, including traffic crash data and demographic information. The commission focuses on "safe system approach" strategies like roadway design, speed management, and expanding accessible transportation options for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and people with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2245) proposes to modify New Jersey's regulations for student permits in cosmetology and hairstyling programs. It clarifies that "registered students" - those enrolled in licensed cosmetology schools under instructor supervision - may provide services in school clinics, but explicitly excludes students in public school vocational programs (approved by the State Board of Education) from this permit category. The key mechanism defines "registered student" to distinguish between licensed school programs and public school programs, ensuring only the former qualify for student permit services. This change directly affects cosmetology students in licensed educational institutions seeking supervised practice opportunities. The bill is currently pending in the Senate (last updated December 2024).

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 2021 law requiring utilities to provide pandemic-era bill payment assistance notifications, while updating current requirements for utility assistance program information. It mandates that state agencies (like the Department of Community Affairs) and utilities must prominently display current details about all available utility assistance programs - including phone numbers and websites - on residential bills, communications about overdue payments, and their websites. The bill requires this information to be in English and the most common non-English language in the customer’s county. It also adds a requirement that utilities include information about any assistance programs they administer or know about, not just state-run ones. The repeal of the pandemic-specific law (P.L.2021, c.97) removes monthly notification mandates tied to the coronavirus emergency.

Maddy summaryCJ's Law (S 3981) would criminalize the manufacture, distribution, and possession with intent to distribute substances containing kratom (a plant-based substance with opioid-like effects) in New Jersey. It creates two offense levels: second-degree crimes (5-10 years in prison, up to $150,000 fine) for one ounce or more, and third-degree crimes (3-5 years in prison, up to $15,000 fine) for less than one ounce. The law exempts licensed practitioners like doctors, hospitals, and researchers who are authorized to handle controlled substances. The bill is named after Christopher James Holowach, who died from cardiac arrest related to kratom use alongside prescription medication.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 3927) prohibits real estate appraisers from considering protected characteristics like race, religion, gender identity, or national origin when valuing properties. It establishes penalties for discriminatory appraisals, including restitution for affected parties, mandatory anti-bias training, and escalating fines up to $50,000 for repeat violations. The bill requires real estate professionals to provide free information about reporting discriminatory appraisals to the Division on Civil Rights within three days of key interactions, such as mortgage applications or property sales. Additionally, it mandates that the Division on Civil Rights collect and report demographic data from complainants to the Governor and Legislature by July 2026. The bill directly affects licensed appraisers, real estate brokers, and mortgage professionals in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1637 creates a $4.5 million Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program. It requires the Agriculture Secretary to reimburse eligible school districts for costs incurred when they expand local food sourcing beyond existing baseline levels - such as adding new local produce to meals or serving it during more meal periods. The program excludes fluid dairy milk and costs for ordinary procurement at current baseline levels, focusing only on new initiatives. This directly affects school districts serving subsidized meals that implement expanded local food policies through submitted plans, with reimbursement limited to documented new expenses.