Sen. Teresa Ruiz

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new benefit programs under New Jersey's Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) cash assistance program. It provides eligible participants with a $14 monthly benefit for menstrual hygiene products (tampons, pads, or cups) for individuals aged 18-50, and a $30 monthly benefit per child under 36 months for diaper products. Benefits are added to participants' existing WFNJ electronic cards on the same schedule as regular benefits, with unspent funds carrying over monthly. The $2.5 million appropriation funds these programs, which directly affect low-income WFNJ recipients and their dependent children.

Maddy summaryThe "Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act" (S 2806) prevents consumer reporting agencies from including paid medical debt or medical debt under $500 in credit reports, regardless of when the debt was incurred. It also prohibits medical creditors and debt collectors from reporting medical debt to credit bureaus for services provided after the bill takes effect. The bill requires a 180-day waiting period before collection actions can begin after the first bill is sent, and mandates a 30-day notice to patients before initiating collection efforts. Additionally, it protects patients during pending insurance appeals by banning collection communications and requiring removal of debt information from credit reports if an appeal is active or the debt is paid.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover abortion services without cost-sharing (such as deductibles, copays, or coinsurance) for all individuals in the state. It applies to all health insurance carriers, state health benefit programs, and Medicaid, with limited exceptions for religious employers who request exclusions based on religious beliefs. The bill also prohibits medical malpractice insurers from taking adverse actions against providers who offer legally protected reproductive health care services, even if the patient is from a state where those services are illegal. It defines "abortion" as medical treatment to terminate a pregnancy (including medication and aspiration methods) and aims to remove financial barriers to access, particularly benefiting low-income individuals and other groups facing disproportionate access challenges.

Maddy summaryS 2330 establishes a one-year pilot program providing two new benefits for participants in New Jersey's Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) cash assistance program, which supports low-income residents. It allocates $2.5 million to the Department of Human Services to distribute a $14 monthly benefit for menstrual hygiene products (e.g., tampons, pads, cups) to participants aged 18-50 who menstruate, and a $30 monthly benefit per child under 36 months for diaper products to parents in the program. Benefits are delivered via existing WFNJ electronic cards on the same schedule as standard benefits, with unspent funds rolling over to the next month for the same purpose. The bill defines eligible products and requires their exclusive use for the specified items.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program to allow qualifying municipalities to use funds from the Enterprise Zone Assistance Fund for transportation infrastructure projects. It revises the definition of "qualified assistance fund expenses" to explicitly include costs for constructing, repairing, upgrading, or maintaining roads, bridges, public transit facilities, and related debt service. Previously, such projects were limited to corridors within enterprise zones; this change broadens eligibility to all transportation infrastructure improvements statewide. The policy directly affects UEZ program municipalities seeking to fund transportation projects using state assistance funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3520) requires employers to provide paid first responders with one additional sick day per year specifically for healthcare diagnostic testing related to their job duties. It directly affects paid law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and members of emergency rescue squads. The bill defines "healthcare diagnostic testing" as medical tests recommended by a provider to address conditions linked to first responder work, with rules for implementation to be created by the Labor Commissioner. The benefit applies after an employee’s first year of service with the employer.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's Reproductive Health Care Professional Loan Redemption Program, appropriating $5 million to reduce student debt for licensed providers. It directly affects New Jersey residents who are reproductive health care professionals (including abortion providers) working at approved sites like clinics or hospitals. Under the program, participants can have up to 18%-28% of their qualifying student loans redeemed per year of service (capping at $200,000 total), with preference given to those working in counties lacking abortion providers. The program requires a 1-4 year service commitment at an approved site in exchange for loan repayment, excluding those already in federal or state loan repayment programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies the authority of physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, certified midwives, and advanced practice nurses to provide both aspiration and medication abortions within their scope of practice. It clarifies that abortion facilities performing procedures not requiring general anesthesia or operating rooms (such as early aspiration abortions) are not required to be licensed as ambulatory surgical facilities. The bill ensures these facilities won't be subject to certain licensing restrictions that apply to ambulatory care facilities, as long as they follow standard care regulations. This aims to increase access to abortion services by expanding the pool of qualified providers and reducing unnecessary facility requirements.

Maddy summaryS 3491 establishes legal protections for patients and healthcare providers accessing or providing reproductive health care (including abortion) and gender-affirming health care services in New Jersey. The bill defines "legally protected health care activity" as services lawful in New Jersey, regardless of where the patient resides, and creates criminal penalties for interfering with access to these services (such as obstructing facilities, intimidating patients, or recording individuals without consent). It also prohibits New Jersey from extraditing people for providing or seeking these services, protects patient privacy regarding these services, and specifies that fertilized eggs, embryos, or fetuses cannot have independent legal rights under New Jersey law. The bill applies to all individuals seeking or providing these services within New Jersey, including those traveling from states with restrictions on reproductive or gender-affirming care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to provide annual training to K-12 teachers who work with students exhibiting reading deficiencies (scoring below grade level or at risk of doing so). The training covers evidence-based reading instruction, intervention techniques, and distinguishing reading deficiencies from special education needs. It also mandates the Department of Education to create a "train the trainer" program certifying literacy coaches, who receive a one-time stipend and can provide ongoing coaching support including classroom observations, example lessons, and feedback. All training and coaching count toward existing teacher professional development requirements.