Sen. Raj Mukherji

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to allow certain health care practitioners to refer patients to pharmacies where they, their immediate family, or both have a significant financial interest - specifically for pharmacies that received permit approval before the effective date of the original law (P.L.1989, c.19). Practitioners must disclose this financial interest to patients in writing and post the disclosure form in their office. It directly affects practitioners who owned or co-owned pharmacies prior to 1989, enabling continued referrals to those pharmacies under strict disclosure rules. The change does not alter existing prohibitions on referrals for other services or create new financial incentives.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S2815 allows disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients who hold state-issued disabled veteran or Purple Heart license plates to park in designated disability parking spots without needing additional permits. The bill amends existing law to recognize these specific license plates as valid for accessing disability parking, removing the requirement for holders to obtain standard disability placards or identification cards. It directly affects veterans and Purple Heart recipients certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or awarded the Purple Heart, who already possess these plates. The change takes immediate effect, simplifying parking access for this group in all public and private parking zones reserved for people with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits residential landlords in New Jersey to charging no more than 5% of the monthly rent or $75 (whichever is lower) as an application fee for rental properties. Landlords who exceed this cap face a $1,500 penalty plus legal costs, enforceable by the state. Tenants can also sue for an additional $250 plus attorney fees if a landlord violates the fee limit. The law directly affects renters applying for housing and landlords collecting application fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to make a good faith effort to increase the use of certified minority and women-owned businesses as prime contractors and subcontractors in state procurement. Based on a 2024 disparity study showing these businesses received only 4-15% of prime contract dollars across different contract types, agencies must develop participation goals using findings from a required disparity study to be completed by August 2029. Contractors must submit utilization plans detailing how they'll meet participation goals, with a waiver process available for those who've made a good faith effort but can't comply. The bill establishes complaint procedures for agencies and contractors when requirements aren't met, and expires December 31, 2029 unless the disparity study shows continued disparities.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program to fund public transportation projects statewide (previously limited to Mercer County), appropriating $20 million from the General Fund. It requires projects to include accessibility features like wheelchair-accessible vehicles and accessible mobile apps, enable access without smartphones/credit cards, and demonstrate success with similar projects. The program prioritizes projects improving mobility for low-income communities, people with disabilities, and disadvantaged areas while reducing emissions. Local governments and transit agencies across New Jersey can apply for grants to support innovative transit services meeting these criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act" to protect immigrants interacting with state and local government agencies. It prohibits public agencies, including law enforcement, schools, hospitals, and shelters, from collecting immigration status information unless strictly necessary for service eligibility. The bill bans state and local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration authorities with detainers, notification requests, or transfers, and requires adoption of policies ensuring sensitive locations remain accessible to all residents regardless of immigration status. It mandates training for law enforcement officials and public awareness campaigns about these protections, with annual reporting requirements for agencies interacting with federal immigration authorities.

Maddy summaryS 3692 requires veterinarians to provide clear, written and verbal disclosures to pet owners before rabies testing on dead animals, detailing the testing process, body handling, disposal (including that the head may not be returned for cremation or burial), and prohibiting misleading language. It mandates that veterinarians distribute a bilingual pamphlet explaining rabies testing protocols and burial/cremation implications to owners at the time of rabies vaccination, and display a related poster in their offices. The bill also establishes an optional mental health training program for veterinarians and staff, which grants certification upon completion to promote trauma-informed care and reduce mental health stigma in the veterinary industry. Violations of the disclosure requirements are subject to consumer fraud penalties under state law.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill S 3657 prohibits landlords and property management software companies from using algorithmic systems to coordinate rental prices and supply, which the bill states may reduce competition and raise rents. It defines a "coordinator" as any entity (including property owners using their own software) that collects price data from multiple landlords, analyzes it with algorithms, and recommends rental prices or occupancy levels. The bill makes it unlawful to contract with such services or facilitate price-fixing agreements, aligning with New Jersey's Antitrust Act. This directly affects landlords, property management software providers, and rental markets, targeting practices cited as contributing to a 35% median rent increase for three-bedroom units since 2021.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S3658 establishes a statewide rent cap, limiting annual rent increases for most residential properties to 5% plus the cost-of-living change or 10%, whichever is lower. This directly affects most renters in the state, including those in apartments and multi-unit buildings, but excludes non-residential properties, affordable housing units, dormitories, newly constructed buildings (within 15 years), single-family homes meeting specific landlord criteria, and duplexes where the landlord resides. Landlords violating the cap would face penalties under New Jersey’s consumer fraud law, and tenants could challenge unlawful increases or use violations as a defense in eviction cases. The bill applies retroactively to rent increases since September 1, 2024, and does not override stricter local rent control ordinances.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training Fund reimbursement rules. It allows private agencies training volunteer EMTs (including for EMT-A, EMT-D, and epinephrine auto-injector certification) to be reimbursed directly, prioritizing EMT-A certification first. Volunteer EMTs must work at least one service call monthly for three years to maintain "good standing," or their ambulance squad may have to repay the fund if they stop volunteering. The bill clarifies that reimbursement eligibility doesn't depend on whether the volunteer's squad receives payment for services.