Sen. Raj Mukherji

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords (excluding small owner-occupied properties) to provide tenants with free, bilingual (English/Spanish) eviction prevention materials within 30 days of the Department of Community Affairs making them available. The materials include a statement of tenant and landlord rights, plus a separate pamphlet or electronic document listing specific resources like the New Jersey Eviction Guide, the Office of Eviction Prevention, and eviction prevention programs. Landlords must distribute these to existing tenants annually and to new tenants at lease signing or renewal. The Department updates these materials yearly, and tenants can request copies by mail or email.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits casino and sports wagering companies from advertising their services on any internet platforms or mobile apps primarily designed for children under age 12 in New Jersey. It directly affects licensed casinos, sports betting operators, and their employees or contractors who advertise online. The key provision bans posting, distributing, or sponsoring such ads on child-focused platforms, including websites and apps. The Division of Gaming Enforcement will enforce this rule and create necessary regulations, with the law taking effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows dental service corporations in New Jersey to create nonprofit parent corporations while maintaining their core mission of providing dental care to subscribers. It requires these corporations to seek approval from the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance before forming a parent corporation, ensuring the change aligns with existing statutory purposes. The parent corporation must remain nonprofit and cannot operate as an insurance provider, preserving the dental service corporation's focus on oral health services. This structural change aims to modernize operations, support technology adoption, and improve healthcare infrastructure without altering the entities' fundamental nonprofit status or subscriber obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey law enforcement and anyone using automated license plate readers (ALPRs) from sharing ALPR data with out-of-state agencies for investigations targeting reproductive health services legal in New Jersey. It specifically bans sharing information related to services like pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion (where permitted under NJ law) to prevent cross-state enforcement actions. Law enforcement must obtain a written assurance from other states that the data won’t be used to penalize providers or patients for these legal services. Violations carry civil penalties up to $5,000 for repeat offenses, and the bill defines "reproductive health care services" broadly to include all related medical, surgical, and counseling support. The law directly affects ALPR users, NJ law enforcement, and out-of-state agencies seeking to investigate reproductive health access within New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover ovulation-enhancing drugs and the medical services needed to administer them for Medicaid beneficiaries experiencing infertility. It amends the state's Medicaid law to add these specific services as a covered benefit, which are not currently included in standard Medicaid coverage. The policy change would directly affect low-income New Jersey residents seeking fertility treatments through Medicaid. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Health Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey Medicaid to cover ovulation-enhancing drugs and related medical services for people aged 21-44 experiencing infertility. It defines infertility as failure to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex for ages 21-34, or six months for ages 35-44. Covered services include office visits, hysterosalpingograms, pelvic ultrasounds, and blood testing. The coverage would apply only when federal funding is available for Medicaid programs. This would expand existing Medicaid benefits to include fertility treatments for this specific population.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3016 bill prohibits four specific chemicals - brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye 3 - from being used in commercial foods sold within the state. It amends existing food safety law to add these substances to the list of prohibited ingredients, making it illegal for manufacturers, distributors, or retailers to sell or distribute food containing them. The law aligns with European Union bans on these chemicals, which studies link to health risks, particularly for children. Violations would result in fines of $50-$1,000 per offense, enforced by the New Jersey Department of Health under the State Sanitary Code.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Green Acres funds from being used to purchase, install, or replace artificial turf fields. It directly affects municipalities, school districts, and state agencies that rely on these funds for recreational field projects. The law specifically bans the use of Green Acres money for any artificial turf project, citing health and environmental concerns related to chemicals like PFAS and microplastics found in artificial turf. It does not ban artificial turf itself, only restricts state funding for such installations. The policy change takes immediate effect.

Maddy summaryS 4939 (Sponsored by Senators Timberlake & Mukherji) prevents evictions and foreclosures for specific tenants during federal government shutdowns. It defines "eligible residents" as federal employees furloughed or recipients of SNAP food assistance. The Governor may issue an executive order halting enforcement of eviction/foreclosure actions (like removals or warrants) for up to one month after a shutdown ends, but proceedings can still move forward. Exceptions allow enforcement if a court deems it "necessary in the interest of justice" or if an eviction isn't about unpaid rent. This bill directly affects New Jersey tenants who lose income due to federal shutdowns.

Maddy summaryS 3450 establishes requirements for on-demand micro transit programs in New Jersey, which are app- or phone-based shared rides using motor vehicles to transport riders between custom pick-up and drop-off points. The bill mandates that these programs must expand service in transit deserts (areas with limited public transportation) without replacing existing routes, require drivers to hold commercial licenses and be paid at least as well as other transit drivers, and protect existing employees from adverse impacts. A new Micro Transit Oversight Committee must review and certify each program before it begins operations, ensuring compliance with these rules.