Maddy summaryS 1178 establishes the Office of Disordered Eating Prevention within New Jersey's Department of Health and creates a Disordered Eating Prevention Research Grant Program. The office must develop annual public resources about disordered eating (defined as irregular eating behaviors that may not meet clinical eating disorder criteria), collaborate with mental health programs, and partner with schools to promote prevention. The grant program provides funding to organizations researching disordered eating causes and prevention strategies, particularly for youth, older residents, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals who face disproportionate impacts. The bill appropriates state funds to implement these provisions, requiring annual reports on the office's activities and grant program outcomes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2930 requires the Department of Children and Families to create a state-wide program promoting trauma-informed care to help children and families affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like abuse, neglect, or household instability. The bill mandates developing a toolkit for state employees, establishing Trauma Awareness Month, creating recognition programs for frontline workers, and identifying service gaps across agencies and schools. State agencies serving children and families must implement trauma-informed practices, including staff training on ACEs and toxic stress, and use evidence-based approaches to build resilience. This law aims to reduce long-term health and behavioral impacts of childhood trauma by shifting how state services are delivered.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2901) expands New Jersey Medicaid coverage to include hearing aids and other assistive devices for hearing impairment. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries with hearing loss who currently lack coverage for these devices. The bill amends existing Medicaid rules to explicitly add "hearing aids and other assistive devices for the hearing impaired" to the list of covered prosthetic devices under Section 6(b)(6). This change clarifies that such devices will now be reimbursed under the state's Medicaid program without requiring separate legislative action for each case. The bill does not create new funding but adjusts coverage eligibility under current Medicaid rules.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to amend its construction code to prohibit burning high-emission fuels (like natural gas) in most new buildings. Starting 12 months after enactment, it bans such combustion in new buildings under seven stories, expanding to all new buildings after 36 months. Exemptions apply to emergency systems, emergency facilities, and commercial kitchens, but buildings using exemptions must still be designed as "all-electric ready" where feasible. The bill also mandates a joint report on utility rate changes and allows municipalities to enforce stricter rules than the state code.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1643) allows New Jersey municipalities and school boards to adopt ranked-choice voting for local elections through voter referendum or local ordinance. It permits communities to choose ranked-choice voting for mayoral, council, or school board races - using instant runoff for single seats (like mayor) or single transferable vote for multiple seats (like council). Voters would need to approve the change via referendum, requiring signatures from at least 10% of voters who participated in the last General Assembly election. The bill defines key terms like "exhausted ballot" and voting thresholds but does not mandate ranked-choice voting statewide. It is currently pending in the Senate (introduced January 2026).
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits sewerage authorities from charging interest on unpaid sewer fees for properties owned by the State, local governments, or their agencies (including housing authorities). It amends existing law to explicitly exclude these entities from interest charges that previously applied to unpaid sewer service fees. The key change removes the 1.5% monthly interest rate and lien rights for these properties, while maintaining standard collection procedures for other property owners. The policy directly affects state/local government entities and housing authorities that pay sewer fees for their properties.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain group homes for adults with developmental disabilities (receiving Tier C services from New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities) to install video-only electronic monitoring devices in common areas **only when all residents and their legal representatives consent**. Key provisions include: no forced consent for current residents, written consent from new residents, annual reminders of the right to request monitoring, and the ability for residents to withdraw consent anytime. Devices must be unobstructed, recordings kept for 90 days, and residents/representatives can access footage upon request. The bill ensures monitoring is consent-based and does not affect housing placement for those who decline.
Maddy summarySJR 65 is a ceremonial resolution honoring John Sterling, a longtime New York Yankees radio broadcaster who retired in April 2024 after 36 seasons. It celebrates his career - specifically his 5,420 Yankees games broadcast from 1989 to 2019, including iconic moments like Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit - and requests the Governor issue a proclamation recognizing his impact on baseball broadcasting. As a Bergen County, New Jersey resident, Sterling is acknowledged for his decades of service to fans, though the resolution has no legal effect or direct impact on policies or constituents.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 3112) prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing masks or disguises during public interactions while performing official duties. Exceptions include undercover work, face shields that don’t hide the face, medical masks with a physician’s written approval, and masks for smoke protection during emergencies. Violating the rule is a disorderly persons offense punishable by fines up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. The law applies broadly to all state, county, municipal, and federal officers empowered to enforce laws in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryS 1787 requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update the statewide use-of-force policy every even-numbered year (or sooner if needed), ensuring it prioritizes de-escalation, limits force to what's necessary and proportional, and treats deadly force as a last resort. It mandates public reporting of all law enforcement use-of-force incidents through a publicly accessible online database and establishes specific protocols for handling barricaded persons - especially those in mental health crises - requiring crisis intervention training for officers. The bill also requires the Police Training Commission to include barricaded-person response training in all officer basic courses. Note: This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.243.