Maddy summaryThis bill updates notification requirements for New Jersey's "Energy Bill Watch" program, which affects residential customers using smart meters for electricity or gas. It clarifies that utilities must notify these customers on the 10th and 20th days of each billing cycle via text or email (with email as backup if phone numbers are unavailable), showing both usage cost in dollars and consumption in kilowatt hours or therms. Notifications must now reflect data up to two days before sending, and customers gain options to set spending thresholds or compare current usage to prior cycles. The bill ensures utilities automatically enroll smart meter customers while providing clear opt-out instructions and advertising the program through multiple channels like websites and bills.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1439 requires health insurance plans (including hospital, medical, health service, and individual policies) to cover orthotic and prosthetic appliances from licensed providers - including podiatrists - when medically necessary for daily activities. It also mandates coverage for *additional* appliances needed for specific sports and recreational activities like running, swimming, skiing, and team sports, as determined by a physician. Insurance plans must reimburse at the same rate as federal Medicare for these appliances. This applies to all relevant health insurance contracts in New Jersey, directly affecting insured individuals needing these devices for mobility or recreation.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public and certain nonpublic schools to offer parents a no-fee option for paying school meals, field trips, activity fees, and other school-related costs. It mandates that payment platforms used by schools must clearly disclose all fees, average annual user costs, and the availability of the no-fee alternative. Schools must include this fee information and the no-fee option in all payment requests sent to parents. The law applies to all school districts and charter schools, taking effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3662) allows commercial farmers in New Jersey to recover reasonable legal costs and attorney fees when defending against complaints deemed filed in "bad faith" under the state's Right to Farm Act. It directly affects farmers who successfully prove their agricultural operations comply with state regulations and SADC guidelines (the "irrebuttable presumption"), and a county board or the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) determines the complaint was filed without valid grounds. The key mechanism requires farmers to submit cost details to a county board or SADC; if they find the complaint was filed in bad faith (supported by a preponderance of evidence) and the costs are reasonable, the complainant must pay them. The bill does not alter the Right to Farm Act’s core protections but adds a fee-recovery process for frivolous complaints. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new "limited cosmetic retail service license" for retail stores that primarily sell skincare, hair care, makeup, and cosmetic products while offering related services. It requires these establishments to be at least 750 square feet in size, with specific facility requirements including proper sanitation areas and one workstation per 750 square feet of space. The license allows stores to provide services like applying makeup, facial treatments, and hair removal (using depilatories, waxing, or tweezers) that are currently restricted to licensed skin care specialists. This change simplifies licensing requirements compared to current salon standards, which require separate space allocations for customer chairs. The bill directly affects cosmetic retailers and licensed skin care specialists seeking to provide services within retail environments.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2223) requires New Jersey's Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) to issue an annual report to the Governor and Legislature. The report must summarize compensation awards from the previous fiscal year, including the number of applications granted or denied (with reasons), award amounts, victim demographics, services covered, and office funding. It must be completed within six months after the fiscal year ends and published online by the Department of Law and Public Safety. The bill directly affects the VCCO by mandating regular transparency about its operations and outcomes for crime victims.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools (grades 7-12) and colleges to print mental health and suicide crisis resources on the back of student ID cards. It revises prior law by replacing the specific requirement to list the NJ Hopeline number with a flexible mandate for schools to include resources determined by education and human services officials. Schools may also add contact information for other services like the National Lifeline or campus crisis centers. The change applies immediately to the next school year following enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to teach labor history as part of the social studies curriculum for students in grades 6-12. It mandates the State Board of Education to adopt specific learning standards covering organized labor history, notable strikes, unionization efforts, and collective bargaining processes in both U.S. and New Jersey contexts. School districts must integrate this content into their curriculum, using inclusive instructional materials that highlight labor movement contributions. The bill does not specify funding or assessment methods but requires implementation concurrent with future updates to existing social studies standards.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates an independent Office of the Veteran Advocate within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), with the position appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The Veteran Advocate will investigate complaints about veteran services, monitor care in state facilities, and ensure veterans receive proper treatment, with authority to conduct site visits, issue subpoenas, and establish a 24-hour hotline. The office will report annually to the Governor and Legislature on issues affecting veterans and make recommendations for improving services. The bill appropriates funds from the General Fund to support this new office, which will serve as an ombudsman for veterans and their families receiving services from state entities or state-funded private providers.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4532) updates New Jersey's "Energy Bill Watch" program, which affects residential customers using smart meters for electricity or gas. It requires utilities to notify these customers on the 10th and 20th days of each billing cycle about their usage costs (in dollars) and consumption (in kilowatt hours or therms) up to two days prior to notification. Customers can choose text or email alerts and set usage thresholds for additional alerts. Utilities must automatically enroll smart meter customers but provide clear opt-out options and program details through multiple channels like email, social media, and billing statements.