Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to encourage health care facilities and licensed pediatricians, family practice physicians, and other health care professionals to implement the national "Reach Out and Read" program. The program promotes early literacy by having health care providers discuss age-appropriate reading with parents during well-child visits for children aged 6 months to 5 years. The DOH must provide printed and online resources about the program and post a link to its website for facilities to apply as program sites. The goal is to support children's language development, strengthen parent-child bonds, and integrate literacy guidance into routine pediatric care, based on evidence showing benefits for early childhood development.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 2190 establishes New Jersey's "ReadyReturn Program," requiring the Division of Taxation to automatically prepare initial tax filings for eligible low-income residents who typically don't file due to income thresholds or filing barriers. This directly affects low-income taxpayers who may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit but miss out on filing. The bill mandates state agencies to use existing tax data to simplify enrollment in social services programs like Medicaid or food assistance, reducing the need for separate applications. It also includes funding for implementation, aiming to increase tax filing rates and streamline access to benefits.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a four-year pilot program for up to 15 New Jersey school districts to create confidential student mental health assistance programs for grades K-12. Participating districts must develop programs that identify students facing mental health challenges (including those related to family, school, or substance use), provide voluntary counseling and referrals, and connect students to community resources. Each district must appoint trained student assistance counselors to deliver services, offer mental health education, and build community partnerships. After the pilot, districts will report on program participation and outcomes, with the Commissioner of Education submitting a report to the Governor and Legislature to recommend whether to expand the program statewide.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary Medicaid coverage pathway for New Jersey residents needing home and community-based services or the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). It allows the Department of Human Services to grant "presumptive eligibility" to individuals likely to qualify for Medicaid and home care services while they await full eligibility determination. During this temporary coverage period (starting when they request services), providers receive payment for services rendered regardless of final eligibility status. Applicants must submit a full Medicaid application within one month of receiving presumptive eligibility.
Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 48) urges the U.S. Congress and President to permanently exempt Puerto Rico from the Jones Act's shipping restrictions. The Jones Act requires goods shipped between U.S. ports by water to use U.S.-flagged vessels built, owned, and crewed by U.S. citizens, which increases shipping costs for island territories. Puerto Rico, as an unincorporated U.S. territory, faces higher prices for imported goods due to these restrictions, and the resolution argues permanent exemption would reduce costs for residents and aid recovery from Hurricane Maria and Puerto Rico’s pre-existing financial crisis. The exemption would apply to most goods but exclude items needed for national defense. Note: This is a non-binding request, not a law.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Statewide Suicide Prevention Coordination and Oversight Council within the Department of Human Services. The council will survey existing suicide prevention programs, develop standardized reporting requirements for data on suicide attempts and completions (including demographics and methods), and serve as a central hub for collecting non-identifying data from prevention entities. It will create guidelines for informational materials, assist entities with compliance, and compile findings for state and federal authorities to improve suicide prevention efforts. The council requires 25 members, including government officials and public appointees with specific expertise in mental health, suicide prevention, and community representation.
Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New Jersey's senior property tax freeze benefit is delivered. It converts the current system - where qualifying seniors and disabled homeowners receive a separate refund check for property tax savings - into a direct credit applied to their annual property tax bill. The key mechanism eliminates the need for a separate reimbursement payment, instead reducing the amount owed on the tax bill itself. This directly affects eligible seniors (65+ or disabled persons) who own or rent a primary residence and meet income requirements (e.g., $60,000 or less annual income for single/married filers). The change would streamline the process but does not alter eligibility criteria or benefit amounts.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) program providing grants and loans to support urban farming in eligible city neighborhoods. It directly affects urban farmers who grow fresh produce (using traditional or nontraditional methods like hydroponics) in designated urban areas and require partnerships with public school districts to supply cafeteria food. Key provisions include requiring applicants to demonstrate school district contracts, farming experience, and commitment to using funds solely for urban farming operations. The program excludes marijuana cultivation and mandates annual financial reporting to ensure proper use of funds and continued school partnerships.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1,995,000 from New Jersey's Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund to expand support team addiction recovery programs. It directly affects individuals with opioid use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions, particularly in underserved communities. The key mechanism requires the Department of Human Services to allocate these funds for evidence-based treatment programs addressing opioid addiction and related conditions, prioritizing equitable access. The funding comes from the state's share of national opioid litigation settlements, as established in prior legislation (P.L.2023, c.25).
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to hire at least one certified nutrition specialist, registered dietitian, or registered dietitian nutritionist on a full- or part-time basis. It defines these professional roles and sets the effective date for the third school year after enactment. The law aims to improve student access to nutritious food by mandating these specialists in schools, citing CDC research linking student nutrition (such as intake of vitamins and minerals) to academic performance, attendance, and grades.