Sen. Raj Mukherji

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's state pension and annuity funds must stop investing in the 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies, defined by carbon content in their oil, gas, and coal reserves. Funds must divest from these companies within one year (two years for coal companies), though they may temporarily pause divestment if fund values drop below 99.5% of their hypothetical value without divestment. Annual reports on progress and investments sold will be required, with transparency mandated to the Governor, Legislature, and Attorney General. The bill directly affects New Jersey's public employee retirement funds and their investment management.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires rental car companies in New Jersey to delete customers' personal information from vehicle computer systems when a car is returned. It defines "personal information" broadly to include navigation history, phone data, and garage door codes, and mandates deletion using NIST guidelines or manufacturer reset protocols. Rental companies failing to comply face civil penalties of $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent violations, enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The law applies to all short-term rental businesses (hourly, daily, or per-trip) and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires websites reselling tickets to provide clear, upfront disclosures to consumers. Specifically, such sites must prominently state: (1) that tickets are for secondary resale (not primary sale), (2) that primary tickets may still be available, (3) that resale prices may exceed face value, and (4) their refund policies for event cancellations. Websites must also disclose the venue's original ticket price before purchase and require buyers to confirm they’ve read these notices. Additionally, if a site redirects users to a resale platform, it must clearly state this doesn’t mean primary tickets are sold out or cheaper than face value. These rules apply to all ticket resale websites operating in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1294) requires the state's Department of Human Services to conduct public outreach about how participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) affects noncitizens' U.S. immigration status under the federal "public charge" rule. It directs the department to work with noncitizen advocacy groups and use multilingual outreach through agencies, media, and online channels to clarify which noncitizens are exempt from the rule (such as refugees, asylees, and certain visa holders). The goal is to ensure eligible noncitizens understand their SNAP eligibility without fear of immigration consequences. The outreach must specifically address how SNAP participation relates to inadmissibility for noncitizens applying for admission or status adjustment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish an Alzheimer's disease public awareness and education program. The program must include a public campaign covering symptoms, warning signs, and treatment options; educational materials for health providers; and training for police, fire, emergency medical staff, and judicial personnel to recognize symptoms and respond appropriately. DHS will develop and post accessible information about Alzheimer's on its website in English and Spanish, in consultation with the Alzheimer's Association. The law aims to improve public understanding of Alzheimer's, support early detection, and help professionals better assist affected individuals and families.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits harassing or taking specific wildlife species - including bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, and others - at competitive events where participants are rewarded for capturing them (e.g., contests offering prizes for wildlife). It bans organizing, promoting, or participating in such events, except for authorized field trials. Violators face a disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months in jail or $1,000 fine) and a five-year suspension of wildlife licenses and taking privileges. Injured wildlife must be taken to a licensed rehabilitator or vet, and killed wildlife remains are forfeited to the Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in New Jersey hospitals, ambulatory surgery facilities, developmental centers, and psychiatric hospitals. It requires facilities to maintain specific ratios (such as 1:4 for medical/surgical units and 1:2 for critical care) and implement an acuity-based staffing system to adjust for patient needs. Facilities that violate these requirements face civil penalties, with fines deposited into a dedicated fund for nursing recruitment, retention programs, and student loan forgiveness. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities and their nursing staff, aiming to improve patient safety through mandated staffing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Alzheimer's Disease Master Plan Study Commission within the Department of Human Services. The 15-member commission - comprising state health officials, bipartisan legislators, and appointed experts including caregivers, healthcare providers, and legal specialists - will develop a comprehensive master plan within two years. The plan must address critical areas including caregiver support, community-based care alternatives to institutions, dementia awareness, prevention of abuse, and affordable housing. It will also set measurable benchmarks to improve care quality, funding, and the well-being of individuals with Alzheimer's and their families across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state, county, and private adult and juvenile correctional facilities to provide free voice calls, video calls, and email services to incarcerated individuals. It eliminates all fees for both the incarcerated person and their family members receiving calls or messages, prohibiting facilities from charging commissions, surcharges, or additional fees. The bill amends existing law to mandate that these communication services be provided at no cost to any party, while allowing facilities to maintain security measures. It also includes an appropriation for implementation, as certified by correctional authorities. The policy directly affects incarcerated individuals and their families across all correctional facilities in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2522 prohibits crisis pregnancy centers from making deceptive or misleading advertisements about pregnancy-related services under the state's Consumer Fraud Act. The bill specifically targets centers that falsely claim to provide medical services (like ultrasounds or prenatal care) or misrepresent their ability to offer such services, while clarifying these centers must not provide abortion referrals or mimic licensed medical facilities. Violations could result in enforcement actions by the Attorney General, including injunctions against deceptive advertising and court-ordered corrective measures. The law directly affects nonprofit crisis pregnancy centers operating in New Jersey that advertise pregnancy counseling or related services.