Sen. Britnee Timberlake

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale, distribution, manufacture, or import of jewelry containing more than 0.03% cadmium by weight. It directly affects jewelry manufacturers, distributors, importers, and retailers, requiring immediate recalls if cadmium levels exceed the limit. Retailers must remove recalled jewelry from displays within 48 hours and return all inventory to the manufacturer/distributor within 14 days, who then have 60 days to dispose of it safely. Violations are punishable under New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act, with fines up to $20,000 per offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2654) requires all New Jersey public school districts to add instruction about interacting with law enforcement to their social studies curriculum starting in the 2018-2019 school year. It directly affects all K-12 students by mandating age-appropriate lessons on mutual respect during police interactions, the role of law enforcement in public safety, individual responsibilities to comply with directives, and legal rights during encounters. The curriculum must be developed with an advisory committee including police unions, civil rights groups, and educators, split into two parts: simpler content for grades K-4 and more detailed material for grades 5-12. The law specifies concrete teaching requirements without altering existing standards or creating new enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryS 1275 requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey (including hospital, medical, and health service corporation plans) to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations without cost-sharing. Diagnostic exams evaluate abnormalities found in screenings or detected otherwise, while supplemental exams screen high-risk patients (e.g., those with dense breasts or family history) when no abnormality exists. The bill mandates coverage "to the same extent as for any other sickness" under insurance contracts, eliminating deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for these specific exams. This directly affects New Jersey residents with health insurance who require these medically necessary breast screenings.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's child abuse reporting hotline requirement to ensure the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) provides callers with information about existing community resources for victims of child abuse or neglect and their families. It directs DCPP to share details on services like counseling, parenting programs, substance abuse treatment, and foster care that are already contracted through community agencies. The change applies to all calls to the emergency hotline, helping families access support more directly without creating new programs or altering service availability.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2691) requires all New Jersey long-term care facilities to provide staff with biennial training focused on caring for LGBTQI seniors (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex) and seniors living with HIV. It clarifies that facilities must designate two employees - one representing management and one representing direct care staff - to receive in-person training from an approved entity within six months. These two employees then train all other staff using materials from the initial training, covering topics like respectful communication, health challenges faced by LGBTQI seniors, and creating safe environments. Facilities must cover all training costs and maintain records for oversight by state health agencies. The bill directly affects New Jersey long-term care facilities, their staff, and the residents they serve.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds $30 million from the General Fund to New Jersey's FY2026 budget for the Department of Agriculture's Food and Hunger Programs. The funds will be distributed to the state's six regional food banks, which collect surplus edible food and distribute it to local pantries and nonprofits serving vulnerable populations. These programs directly support low-income families, seniors, disabled individuals, and children who rely on food assistance. The funding provides immediate resources to maintain food distribution amid potential federal program disruptions, ensuring continued meal access for approximately 800,000 New Jersey residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill standardizes how New Jersey investigates police use-of-force incidents and in-custody deaths by requiring independent investigators not affiliated with the officer’s department. It designates the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) as the default investigator for serious cases - such as deaths, serious injuries, or civilian deaths during encounters - and county prosecutors for less severe force incidents, while mandating conflict checks to ensure impartiality. Law enforcement agencies must immediately report incidents to county prosecutors, who then notify OPIA, and the bill defines key terms like "law enforcement incident" to clarify coverage. The law directly affects police departments, OPIA, county prosecutors, and civilians involved in such incidents by establishing a consistent, transparent investigative process.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2708) revises New Jersey's foreclosure sale procedures to better protect homeowners and nonprofit community development corporations. It requires sheriffs to hold sales within 150 days, sets strict rules for notifying buyers about "upset prices" (with a 3% maximum increase), and prohibits lenders from delaying sales when nonprofits or homeowners intend to participate. Key provisions include a reduced 3.5% deposit requirement for qualifying buyers (such as nonprofits, tenants, or homeowners who will occupy the property for 84+ months) and mandates that lenders disclose property occupancy status before sale. These changes directly affect sheriffs conducting sales, lenders initiating foreclosures, homeowners facing eviction, and nonprofit community development corporations seeking to preserve affordable housing.

Maddy summaryS 2346 extends health insurance coverage for adult children with disabilities beyond the typical age limit of 26. It requires health plans to continue coverage for individuals 26 or older who have an intellectual disability or physical handicap and are chiefly dependent on their parent for support. The law prohibits health plans from denying coverage based on factors like marriage, having a child, or not living with the parent. This applies to hospital, medical, and health service corporation contracts in New Jersey, ensuring continuous coverage for a specific group of disabled adults who rely on parental support.

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.