Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryS 2151 requires public utilities in New Jersey to notify affected customers about proposed rate increases through bill inserts or local newspaper ads. The notice must include a summary of the filing, the reason for it, and its impact on customers. After the Board of Public Utilities makes a final decision, utilities must send a plain-language summary of that decision to customers 30 days before new rates take effect (if approved) or within 14 days (if denied). The bill also mandates that the Board respond in writing to public questions submitted during rate hearing within 14 days. This bill directly affects utilities and their customers by increasing transparency around rate change processes.

Maddy summaryS 722, now law as P.L.2025, c.200, requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover medically necessary treatments for perimenopause and menopause. It directly affects New Jersey residents with health insurance, mandating coverage for specific services like hormone therapy (including HRT), non-hormonal medications, pelvic floor therapy, bone health screenings, and preventive care for related conditions such as osteoporosis or heart disease. Insurance plans must cover these treatments "to the same extent as for any other medical condition," with clear information provided to subscribers. The law applies to hospital, medical, health service, and individual insurance policies issued or renewed in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 455) is mislabeled in its title; the actual text amends **special probation rules for substance use disorder cases**, not expungement statutes. It creates a new "special probation" option for individuals with substance use disorders convicted of certain offenses (excluding serious violent crimes), requiring a court to assess their condition, confirm the offense was drug/alcohol-related, and ensure no prior violent convictions. If approved, offenders must enter licensed residential or nonresidential treatment (including medication-assisted therapy) with regular drug testing, replacing incarceration. The bill directly affects people with substance use disorders who meet strict eligibility criteria, aiming to reduce prison time by prioritizing treatment over punishment. *(Note: The bill's title incorrectly references "expungement" despite the text focusing solely on probation and treatment programs.)*

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Minority and Women-Owned Businesses State Contractor Remedies Act" to address ongoing disparities in state contracting. It requires New Jersey state agencies and prime contractors to make a "good faith effort" to increase participation by minority and women-owned businesses, specifically Black, Asian, and Hispanic American-owned businesses and women-owned businesses, based on a 2024 state disparity study showing persistent statistical gaps in contract awards. The law defines key terms like "Black American-owned business" and "Asian American-owned business" with specific ownership criteria (51% ownership by the group) and directs the Department of the Treasury's Chief Diversity Officer to oversee implementation. It does not set fixed percentage goals but mandates evidence of good-faith efforts to meet the needs identified in the disparity study.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county prosecutors to collect and report specific data about firearm-related incidents where no one suffered bodily injury. Prosecutors must provide details like incident location, date, charges filed, and whether the firearm use was lawful, regardless of case outcome. They must submit this data quarterly for three years to the Attorney General, who will compile and publish a public report online after the reporting period ends. The bill directly affects county prosecutors and the Attorney General’s office, focusing on gathering standardized data on non-injury firearm incidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Senior Citizen Tenant Protection Act," would allow renters aged 55 or older who live in the same rental unit for at least 10 years to apply for rent increase limits. To qualify, applicants must have an annual income under $80,000 (adjusted annually), not use federal or state housing assistance, and reside in non-public housing. If approved, landlords could only raise rent by an amount tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), not exceeding the current rent multiplied by an annual CPI-based rate factor. Landlords may request waivers for financial hardship, but the rent cap would remain in effect unless a waiver is granted.

Maddy summaryS 258 requires landlords of public housing for seniors to waive late fees for tenants who are hospitalized or admitted to a health care facility. It mandates that landlords accept written proof of hospitalization to eliminate late charges during the stay and for five business days after discharge. Tenants remain responsible for rent due before lease termination, and the grace period doesn’t apply if they’re immediately admitted to another facility without returning home. Violations carry fines up to $500, enforced by the Attorney General. This bill directly affects seniors aged 62+ (or surviving spouses 55+) in subsidized senior housing.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill S 2801 requires all law enforcement agencies to establish an "extremist review council" within their internal affairs units. This council must investigate misconduct complaints involving officers who make public expressions of hate, participate in hate group activities, or are members of hate groups - both on and off duty. The bill defines "hate group" broadly to include organizations targeting people based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability, and covers public expressions like social media posts. It amends existing law by mandating that the Police Management Manual’s guidelines be updated to enforce this requirement, affecting all state police departments and campus law enforcement units.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1188) amends New Jersey's "Extended Employment Act" to modernize support for people with significant disabilities. It revises key definitions - such as replacing "sheltered workshop" with "extended employment" to describe nonprofit-run programs providing work opportunities for individuals with disabilities who cannot compete in the open labor market. The bill updates funding mechanisms to tie annual increases to the CPI-W index (not fixed amounts) and requires contracted providers to submit detailed annual reports on participant outcomes. It directly affects nonprofit service providers administering these programs and people with significant disabilities who qualify for extended employment services. The changes aim to better align program structure with current vocational rehabilitation standards.

Maddy summaryS 352, the "Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act," requires manufacturers and sellers of Internet-connected devices (like tablets or smart TVs) to include digital blocking technology that automatically restricts access to obscene material, child pornography, revenge pornography, and websites linked to human trafficking or prostitution. For devices sold to minors, the blocking must be active by default; adults can deactivate it by paying a $20 fee, and companies may pay a $20 opt-out fee per device instead. Companies must also establish a reporting system for users to flag wrongly blocked or unblocked content and fix such issues within five business days. Fees collected from consumers or companies will fund the state’s Commission on Human Trafficking, with violations punishable by fines up to $20,000 per offense.