Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1097) requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey - including hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, individual policies, group plans, and health maintenance organizations - to cover planned home childbirth costs on the same basis as other medical services. It directly affects health insurance companies, Medicaid, and individuals choosing home births by mandating coverage for services provided by licensed midwives, doctors, doulas, and related medical equipment. The law specifies that coverage must be provided "to the same extent as for any other health care services" under the policy, without additional restrictions. If passed, it would ensure home birth options are financially accessible under most insurance plans in the state.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey counties to create a voluntary registry for seniors aged 65 or older to receive extra assistance during emergencies. Counties would collect basic personal and medical information from participating seniors (like name, address, and emergency contacts), which would be kept confidential and used only by emergency management offices for preparedness. Each county must also run public awareness campaigns about the registry and may provide emergency supply kits to registered seniors, with kit contents determined by local emergency management offices. The bill requires counties to maintain strict confidentiality of registry data and prohibits public access to this information.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts, charter schools, and "renaissance school projects" to install at least one exterior key box meeting safety standards at every school building by June 30, 2027. The key boxes must contain physical keys/access devices for all building areas and printed emergency mapping data, with locations determined in collaboration with emergency responders. The state appropriates $2.5 million from the General Fund to cover installation costs. This directly affects school administrators and emergency response teams by standardizing access during emergencies.
Maddy summaryS 4758 increases penalties for reckless vehicular homicide when the driver was intoxicated and the incident occurred in a highway construction zone or a designated safe corridor. Currently, such crimes are typically a second-degree offense (with possible downgrade), but this bill adds construction zones and safe corridors to the list of locations that elevate the charge to first degree - previously, only school zones triggered this upgrade. A first-degree conviction carries 10-20 years in prison, a fine up to $200,000, or both, plus a driver’s license suspension of 5 years to life. The bill specifically targets incidents involving drivers violating New Jersey’s DUI laws (R.S. 39:4-50) in these high-risk areas.
Maddy summaryS 3457 establishes a New Jersey Out-of-School Time Advisory Commission to review before-school, after-school, and summer programs. The 20-member commission includes state agency leaders, legislative appointees, and community representatives from child care, education, and parent organizations. It will assess current programs, develop statewide quality standards, examine funding sources, and evaluate program access across urban, suburban, and rural areas. The commission must submit an interim report within one year and a final report within two years to the Governor and legislative education committees, then expire 30 days after the final report.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1067) requires the state's Department of Human Services to conduct a landscape analysis of mental health services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing residents. It mandates that mental health services be provided in a client's primary communication method (like sign language or speech), delivered by professionals certified in that method and trained in culturally appropriate care for the deaf community. The bill also requires the creation of a resource guide listing providers meeting these standards and defines key terms like "culturally affirmative mental health services." It directly affects deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking mental health care across New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to submit quarterly data on affordable housing and senior citizen housing units to the Department of Community Affairs. The information includes building addresses, management contacts, application status, and online application links. This data will be published on state government websites (Community Affairs, Housing Finance Agency, and Housing Resource Center) and linked from municipal websites. The bill directly affects local governments by mandating data reporting and aims to make housing availability information more accessible to the public. It does not change housing eligibility or funding but creates a centralized public resource.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 17-member Chronic Absenteeism Task Force to study chronic absenteeism in New Jersey public schools. The task force, including the Commissioner of Education and members appointed by legislative leaders and education stakeholders, will analyze causes like barriers to attendance, mental health impacts, and pandemic-related absences. It must issue a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year, after which the task force will expire. The bill does not change school policies or funding but creates a structured process to assess and address absenteeism trends.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3041 prohibits cooperatives from receiving public works contracts if any member contractor or subcontractor within the cooperative has failed to pay prevailing wages. The bill extends a three-year ban (currently applied to individual contractors) to cover entire cooperatives, meaning a cooperative cannot win contracts if one of its members violates wage laws. It defines a "cooperative" as a business with collective ownership and long-term member control, and includes a process for affected cooperatives to request a hearing if they believe the ban is wrongly applied. The prohibition applies to all cooperative entities with a member on the prevailing wage violation list, lasting three years from the date of listing.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the Saturday before Thanksgiving as "National Adoption Day" and November as "National Adoption Month" in New Jersey. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to raise public awareness about adoption services, educate prospective parents, and celebrate finalized adoptions. The resolution highlights New Jersey's foster care statistics (including 6,000 children in care) and aims to support adoption efforts by recognizing families during this period. It does not change adoption laws or provide funding but focuses on symbolic recognition and community celebration. The bill's purpose is to draw attention to children awaiting adoption and the importance of family formation.