Sen. Bob Singer

Maddy summaryBill A4163 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of diseases when supported by medical evidence such as FDA approvals, drug labels, or clinical guidelines. The bill applies to all health insurance plans including individual, group, Medicaid, and health maintenance organization contracts. Insurers must provide coverage without causing unnecessary disruption (like multiple biopsies) and must make prior authorization decisions within 24 hours for urgent requests or 72 hours for non-urgent requests. This ensures patients can access precision medical testing that's clinically supported without excessive administrative barriers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1635) changes New Jersey's licensing system for funeral professionals by creating two distinct licenses: "Practitioner of Mortuary and Embalming Science" (requiring embalming skills) and "Practitioner of Mortuary Science" (focusing solely on funeral directing without embalming). It directly affects funeral directors and embalmers seeking licensure, removing the current requirement that all professionals must be licensed in both fields. The key provision allows individuals to pursue careers in funeral directing without mandatory embalming training, addressing workforce shortages and accommodating diverse consumer preferences. This change aims to increase entry into the profession by reducing barriers for those who do not wish to practice embalming.

Maddy summaryS 3882 requires professional licensing boards (including the Department of Banking and Insurance) to retain all fees collected from license applicants until June 30 each year, rather than paying remaining funds to the state treasury by October 31. The bill modifies New Jersey law to allow boards to use these retained funds for their operational expenses, examinations, and prosecuting violations of licensing laws. This directly affects boards that collect annual, biennial, or recurring license fees from professionals like insurance agents or financial advisors. The policy change streamlines fund management for these boards while maintaining oversight through state comptroller audits.

Maddy summaryS 3098 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of medical conditions when supported by medical evidence. The bill defines biomarker testing as analysis of tissue, blood, or other biospecimens for biomarkers, and specifies coverage must be provided when tests align with FDA approvals, drug indications, CMS determinations, or nationally-recognized clinical guidelines. Insurers must process prior authorization requests within 72 hours for non-urgent cases and 24 hours for urgent cases, while minimizing disruptions like multiple biopsies. This requirement applies to all health insurance plans, including Medicaid, which must provide coverage with no cost-sharing for beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4286) changes New Jersey's healthcare licensing application process to protect professionals seeking mental health or substance use treatment. It prohibits licensing boards from asking about past behavioral health care history during initial applications or renewals, allowing questions only about current conditions that impair safe practice. Responses about treatment will remain confidential, and such information cannot be used alone to deny licensure if the applicant is not impaired. The bill also requires training for licensing staff on handling disclosures without stigma, aligning New Jersey with best practices adopted by most other states to support healthcare workers' mental health.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 11-member "Study Commission to Create and Expand Independent Housing for High-Functioning Special-Needs Adults" within New Jersey's Department of Human Services. The commission includes state agency representatives and eight public members (appointed by legislative leaders) with lived or caregiving experience supporting high-functioning special-needs adults - defined as individuals with developmental disabilities receiving services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities. The commission will study current housing conditions in New Jersey and other states, identify funding sources, and develop recommendations on housing types, locations, and expansion strategies. It must report its findings and recommendations annually to the Governor and Legislature within one year of formation.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of "child" under New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) and State Police Retirement System (SPRS) to include children of any age who are disabled due to intellectual disability or physical incapacity. Specifically, it adds a new provision (d) requiring the disability to prevent substantial gainful work for at least 12 months, as certified by a medical board. This change directly affects surviving family members of retired or deceased police and firefighter members who qualify as disabled children under the new criteria. The policy shift ensures these disabled children may now receive survivor benefits previously only available to younger or education-focused dependents.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey statutes to explicitly include Jewish persons within the definitions of "minority," "minority group member," and "minority business" in laws governing public contracting and business development programs. Currently, these definitions include Black, Hispanic, Asian-American, American Indian, and Alaskan Native individuals, but not Jewish persons. The change would allow Jewish-owned businesses to qualify as minority business enterprises under state programs that provide set-aside contracts and other support. This would affect businesses seeking certification and participating in state procurement programs that prioritize minority-owned businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the period allowing police and fire chiefs to remain in their roles beyond age 65. It specifically applies to chiefs serving as of April 12, 2022, who would turn 65 during the original 24-month window (ending in 2024). The extension changes the deadline from 24 to 48 calendar months after the effective date, permitting continued service until the end of the calendar year they turn 67 if approved in writing by their appointing authority. The bill also requires the retirement system board to report on the impact of this extension to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies and extends New Jersey's authorization for out-of-state health care professionals and recent graduates to practice in the state while awaiting full licensure. It specifically allows professionals like physicians, nurses, psychologists, counselors, and social workers who are licensed in another state to practice under provisional authorization pending final licensure decisions. The bill also establishes temporary licenses for recent graduates of health care training programs, valid for up to six months, with requirements for application process initiation and supervision. Professionals must immediately notify New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs if their out-of-state license is suspended or revoked, with failure to notify potentially resulting in a $500-per-day civil penalty.