Sen. Raj Mukherji

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create a voluntary shared decision-making tool for maternity care hospitals and birthing centers. The tool provides standardized patient questionnaires, educational materials on birth options and risks (like cesarean sections), and resources to help patients collaborate with providers on care choices and develop birth plans. A three-year pilot program will test the tool at selected facilities across the state, tracking specific outcomes like rates of non-medically indicated inductions and cesarean sections. Participating facilities must report findings to the DOH, Governor, and Legislature after the pilot to inform potential statewide implementation.

Maddy summaryS 1243 establishes the New Jersey Alzheimer's Disease Master Plan Study Commission within the Department of Human Services. The 15-member commission includes state agency representatives, bipartisan legislators, and community stakeholders like healthcare providers, caregivers, and legal experts. It must develop a two-year master plan addressing Alzheimer's and related dementias, focusing on public education, healthcare improvements, family caregiver support, community-based care options, abuse prevention, and poverty reduction. The plan will be submitted to the Governor and Legislature within two years, after which the commission expires.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to conduct a comprehensive study of residential burglaries and issue annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The study must track detailed statistics since 2018 - including burglary times, weapon use, injuries, property values, and prosecution rates - by county. It also mandates a summary of current law enforcement efforts and recommendations to reduce burglaries, including potential legislative changes. The initial report is due within six months of the bill's enactment, with annual updates thereafter.

Maddy summaryS 2945 creates a New Jersey tax credit for low-to-moderate income residents to offset medical insurance costs. It allows individuals with gross income under $65,000 (single or married filing separately) or $130,000 (married filing jointly or head of household) to claim a credit equal to the difference between their medical insurance costs (premiums plus deductibles) and 8.5% of their income. The credit cannot be claimed for expenses already deducted under existing tax rules. The bill requires the Division of Taxation to coordinate with the Health Department to advertise the credit's availability. It takes effect for taxable years beginning after its enactment date.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 409 allows counties and municipalities to reduce water, sewer, and stormwater fees for low-income households. It requires local authorities to establish income-based eligibility (at or below federal poverty guidelines) and verify household composition, ownership, and income through documented applications. Authorities must ensure budget stability by setting aside sufficient revenue or obtaining approval to cover reduced fees without raising rates for others. The bill applies to both sewer and water systems, mandating clear advertising of the program in billing materials and setting annual application deadlines.

Maddy summaryS 2914 directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create rules for small modular nuclear reactors (defined as reactors under 300 megawatts capacity) and authorizes the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to use funds from the Global Warming Solutions Fund to incentivize their construction and operation. Specifically, 60% of the fund's annual allocation would support EDA grants for commercial, institutional, and industrial projects focused on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon-reduction technologies - including small nuclear reactors. This bill directly affects EDA, which would administer the incentives, and companies developing or operating small modular nuclear reactors in New Jersey. The policy change shifts a portion of existing climate funding toward financial support for this specific nuclear technology.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 704) amends New Jersey's child labor laws to create an exemption for minors under 16 working as vloggers. It allows minors to work as vloggers - defined as creating video content featuring a minor for compensation on online platforms - without being subject to standard child labor restrictions, provided their caregiver or family member also complies with specific requirements (detailed in pending sections). The exemption specifically applies to minors working in this capacity under the bill's defined conditions. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.355, meaning it became law through another legislative action.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 459 prohibits installing, planting, or placing nonfunctional turf (like decorative grass requiring frequent mowing) or invasive plant species (such as Japanese barberry or English ivy) on commercial, institutional, industrial, or government-owned properties during new construction or major redevelopment projects requiring landscaping permits. The law applies to properties including streets, parking lots, and public spaces but excludes residential areas and functional turf used for recreation (e.g., sports fields, parks, or water-quality treatment areas). It takes effect January 1, 2026, allowing maintenance of existing installations before that date and permitting municipalities to adopt stricter rules. The bill defines "invasive species" and requires annual updates to a statewide list of regulated plants.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts offering a tax-sheltered annuity plan (a retirement savings plan for school employees) to select a minimum of six financial institutions or pension management organizations to provide investment options. Smaller districts with fewer than 1,000 students may select fewer than six, but must still ensure employees have sufficient investment choices and self-directed options. The selection process must be negotiated with employee unions, and chosen providers must disclose all fees and investment data electronically. The bill clarifies that school boards and unions are not liable for investment losses or underperformance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to offer businesses an optional electronic service for receiving legally required notices, such as violation warnings, underpayment alerts, and unemployment claims. State entities must notify affected businesses within 60 days of the bill's effective date about this option and provide instructions to opt in. The requirement applies to all executive branch departments, boards, commissions, and other state agencies defined as "State entities" under the bill. Businesses receiving these notices can choose to receive them electronically instead of by mail, with state entities implementing the service "to the maximum extent practicable."