Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summarySR 27 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing loneliness as a public health crisis in New Jersey. It formally declares that loneliness adversely affects New Jerseyans' health, citing evidence linking it to increased risks of heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression, and premature death (up to 60% higher risk). The resolution directs copies to the Commissioner of Health to prompt action on this issue. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise awareness and encourage community-based solutions to improve social connection.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $3 million in extra funding from the state General Fund to give one-time bonuses to specific frontline state workers. It directly affects employees represented by Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who worked essential roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by state agencies to eligible employees as a bonus award, based on consultation between the budget director and the union president. The legislation specifies that only workers who provided emergency frontline service during the pandemic qualify for these bonuses.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows small New Jersey businesses with fewer than 20 employees to claim tax credits when they pay for their workers' health insurance premiums. Employers get up to $250 per employee for single coverage or $500 for family coverage if they pay 100% of the premium, with proportional credits for partial payments (50-99%). The health plan must meet federal Affordable Care Act standards for essential benefits. Credits cannot exceed the actual premiums paid and expire after the tax year - no carryover to future years. It applies to both corporate business tax and gross income tax credits.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2325) revises eligibility criteria for Medicaid-covered adult medical day care services in New Jersey. It makes Medicaid enrollees eligible if they: (1) require assistance with daily self-care tasks like dressing, bathing, or eating; (2) have a physician's recommendation; and (3) provide updated medical history and a recent physical exam report. The bill defines "adult medical day care" as community-based daytime programs (under 24 hours) offering health and social support to functionally or cognitively impaired adults, aiming to help them stay in community settings rather than institutions. These changes apply directly to Medicaid beneficiaries seeking this specific care option.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program for school-based mentoring in New Jersey public schools located within 1,000 feet of where gunfire occurred in the prior school year (a "crisis zone"). It directly affects kindergarten through third-grade students at risk for mental health issues or substance abuse, targeting improvements in their emotional resilience, social skills, and behavior. The program requires participating schools to use a weekly, 25-minute one-on-one mentoring curriculum focused on monitoring emotions, building coping skills, and maintaining emotional control, with schools selecting mentors and evaluating student progress at three intervals. After the pilot, the Commissioner of Education must report on whether the program could be expanded statewide.

Maddy summaryS 2848 establishes mandatory standards for court-ordered domestic violence counseling programs in New Jersey. It requires all such programs (for defendants ordered to participate in domestic violence cases) to include four specific components: risk assessments identifying violence dynamics, education on power/control tactics, verified attendance protocols, and oversight by the Department of Children and Families. These standards apply to counseling ordered during pretrial release or as part of final restraining orders in domestic violence cases. The bill implements a 2023 recommendation from the Joint Committee on Criminal Justice and would take effect three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThe "Healthy Smiles Act" (S 3011) increases NJ FamilyCare's fee-for-service reimbursement rates for pediatric dental services by 20% starting July 2025, and requires managed care organizations to pay providers at least the same rate for identical services. This directly affects dental providers treating NJ FamilyCare enrollees (20% of New Jersey's population, including low-income and minority children) and aims to improve access to dental care. The bill addresses longstanding low reimbursement rates - ranked in the bottom 10% nationally since 2007 - that have reduced provider participation and delayed care for children with high rates of untreated tooth decay. It mandates annual adjustments tied to regional inflation and imposes penalties on managed care plans that fail to comply.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state, county, private, and juvenile correctional facilities to provide free voice calls, video calls, and email services for incarcerated people. It eliminates all costs for both inmates and their families by banning per-minute charges (previously up to 11 cents), surcharges, commissions, or fees on these services. Facilities must maintain current access levels and transfer any remaining prepaid funds to inmates' commissary accounts. The bill appropriates funds from the General Fund to cover implementation costs and takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2046) expands the Family Leave Act to provide up to 21 days of protected leave for employees experiencing specific bereavement events, including the death of a child (including stillbirth), miscarriage, or failed fertility treatment. It directly affects employees working for employers with 30+ staff (down from 50 under previous rules), covering situations like pregnancy loss or a child’s death, whether through birth, adoption, or gestational carrier arrangements. The leave is available through the existing Temporary Disability Benefits system, with 21 days for cases not covered by other leave types (like miscarriage) and 7 days when other leave applies (like stillbirth). This change ensures employees can take time off without job loss for these deeply personal losses, aligning with New Jersey’s broader family leave protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to hire three specialized geriatric social workers - one for each of the state's northern, central, and southern regions - to directly assist long-term care residents. The social workers will help residents address legal, financial, and service needs, including being present at initial facility contract meetings. The bill also appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund to cover these positions. It directly affects all residents in New Jersey's long-term care facilities by adding dedicated support staff focused on their well-being and rights.