Sen. Teresa Ruiz

Maddy summaryThis bill requires midwives and physicians who provide obstetric care to give pregnant patients written, evidence-based information about all available birthing options (including hospital births, home births, scheduled procedures, and associated health risks) before labor begins. The information must be provided in English and at least seven common non-English languages spoken by limited-English-proficiency patients in New Jersey, based on census data. Providers must also offer annual language-appropriate education on these options during pregnancy. The law applies directly to pregnant patients receiving care from certified midwives or physicians in New Jersey, aiming to improve informed decision-making.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2980) requires nursing home owners to submit detailed financial and ownership information before transferring ownership or delegating management to third parties. It mandates disclosure of 100% ownership structures, organizational charts, and third-party service providers paying over $200,000 annually, along with resolution of outstanding Medicaid debts. The Department of Health must publicly post applications (with privacy redactions) and allow a 30-day public comment period. These changes aim to increase transparency for prospective buyers and the public while ensuring new owners meet financial and operational standards.

Maddy summaryS 1796 requires New Jersey health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screening without cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays) for men aged 40-75 with specific risk factors, including family history of prostate cancer. The bill mandates that group health insurance policies (for groups over 49 people) cover annual screenings - such as digital rectal exams and PSA tests - as well as follow-up tests like imaging or lab work. This applies to all health service, hospital service, and medical service corporation contracts in New Jersey. The law affects insurance carriers by expanding existing coverage requirements and directly benefits men in the specified age group with risk factors.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to launch a public awareness campaign about the Crime Victim's Bill of Rights and the Victims of Crime Compensation Office. The campaign will focus on educating the public about victim rights and explaining how to access compensation services, including details on eligible crimes, required documents, and filing deadlines. It also mandates training for relevant agencies and organizations to better inform the community. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits courts in New Jersey from disqualifying potential jurors based on their gender identity or sexual orientation, expanding existing protections against discrimination. It also establishes a formal process for handling claims that attorneys improperly use peremptory challenges to exclude jurors based on protected characteristics. Under the new rules, if a party objects to a juror's exclusion, the court must first determine if there is evidence of discriminatory intent, then require the attorney who made the challenge to provide a neutral, situation-specific reason for excluding that juror. If the court finds the challenge was discriminatory, it may impose penalties such as reseating the wrongfully excluded juror, forfeiting the improper challenge, or dismissing the jury panel to start selection over.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Work First New Jersey program by clarifying eligibility rules and defining key terms for cash assistance recipients. It ensures that individuals enrolled in higher education remain eligible for public assistance and allows the state commissioner to exempt people from work requirements due to physical or mental impairments, age, illness, injury, caretaker responsibilities, or employment issues. The legislation also updates definitions for "alternative work experience" and "community work experience," specifying that unpaid training placements should not exceed six months and should lead to full-time employment, while explicitly prohibiting assignments to for-profit private employers. Additionally, the bill refines the definition of "dependent child" to include students up to age 19 and those in special education programs up to age 21, and adjusts the list of income sources that count toward benefit calculations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires inmates in New Jersey state prisons and county correctional facilities to attend a Medicaid enrollment session at least 60 days before their release. During these sessions, trained staff will assist inmates in completing and submitting Medicaid applications, either in person or over the phone. The law also mandates that inmates who choose not to participate must sign a written waiver and receive guidance on Medicaid benefits and application processes for future use. This change aims to streamline healthcare coverage transitions for individuals reentering society after incarceration.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases benefit amounts and expands eligibility for New Jersey's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program, directly affecting low-to-moderate income residents of the state. It raises the percentage of the federal EITC that New Jersey matches, increasing the credit rate to 45% for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. The legislation also allows individuals aged 18 and older who cannot claim a qualifying child for the federal EITC due to age restrictions to still qualify for the state credit, and it permits married taxpayers who are victims of domestic abuse to file separately without meeting the usual joint filing requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners in New Jersey to keep written minutes of all their meetings and public hearings, and it gives the Governor the authority to review and veto those minutes. Under the new rules, the commissioners cannot take any official action unless it occurs at a meeting where minutes are maintained, and a copy of those minutes must be sent to the Governor. The Governor has 15 days to approve the minutes or veto specific actions; if the Governor approves them early or does not respond within the deadline, the actions become effective. This process adds a layer of executive oversight to the commissioners' decision-making while ensuring their financial obligations remain unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Period Equity and Menstrual Disorders Committee within the New Jersey Department of Health to study issues related to period inequity and menstrual disorders. The committee will examine barriers such as the high cost of feminine hygiene products, lack of education, stigma, and potential health risks from product ingredients. It aims to provide recommendations for improving access to affordable and safe menstrual products, enhancing public education, and addressing menstrual health disparities. The legislation directly affects individuals who menstruate, including low-income populations, transgender and non-binary individuals, and other underserved communities.