Maddy summaryThis bill allows members of New Jersey's State Police Retirement System (SPRS) to purchase retirement credit for time spent in military service academies (such as West Point or the Naval Academy), in the New Jersey State Police Academy, or as a class two special law enforcement officer before joining the police force. It amends existing law to permit purchasing credit for these specific service periods by paying into the retirement system's annuity savings fund, with options for installment payments over up to 10 years. The bill specifies that credit purchased for military academy enrollment, police academy training, or special law enforcement officer employment will be treated the same as actual police service for retirement benefit calculations. This applies to current and future SPRS members who want to count these pre-service periods toward their retirement eligibility and benefits.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill would have New Jersey join the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing social workers licensed in New Jersey to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The compact establishes a system where social workers must meet specific requirements (including passing national exams, holding appropriate degrees, and completing supervised practice) to qualify for a multistate license. It creates a commission to manage the compact, handle data sharing among states, and address disciplinary actions. The compact aims to increase access to social work services, reduce duplicate licensing requirements, and support workforce mobility for social workers across member states. This would directly affect social workers seeking to practice in multiple states and the states' licensing authorities.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "funeral arranger" license category in New Jersey, allowing individuals to arrange funerals without needing to be trained in embalming. Currently, New Jersey's 70-year-old Mortuary Science Act requires funeral professionals to be licensed as "practitioners of mortuary science," which includes proficiency in both funeral directing and embalming. The new license would enable people who don't want to learn embalming (for religious, cultural, environmental, or personal reasons) to enter the funeral services profession. The bill modifies licensing requirements, including examinations that exclude embalming content, while maintaining the existing requirements for mortuary science practitioners. This change aims to better accommodate New Jersey's diverse population and increasing preference for cremation or burial without embalming.
Maddy summaryBill A4163 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of diseases when supported by medical evidence such as FDA approvals, drug labels, or clinical guidelines. The bill applies to all health insurance plans including individual, group, Medicaid, and health maintenance organization contracts. Insurers must provide coverage without causing unnecessary disruption (like multiple biopsies) and must make prior authorization decisions within 24 hours for urgent requests or 72 hours for non-urgent requests. This ensures patients can access precision medical testing that's clinically supported without excessive administrative barriers.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3540 establishes criminal penalties for creating or sharing deceptive audio or visual media (commonly called "deepfakes") that falsely depict someone doing something they didn't actually do. It makes it a crime to produce such media for unlawful purposes (like harassment, theft, or privacy violations) or to share it without clearly labeling it as fake. Individuals harmed by these deepfakes can sue for $1,000 per violation plus damages, attorney fees, and other remedies. The law exempts news media from penalties unless they knowingly share unmarked fake content created in violation of the bill.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurance carriers (including Medicaid and state health benefit plans) to base step therapy protocols - where patients must try lower-cost drugs first - on independent, evidence-based clinical guidelines developed by expert panels with conflict-of-interest safeguards. It mandates clear processes for patients to request exceptions when protocols risk harm or ineffectiveness (e.g., if a drug causes adverse reactions or previous treatments failed), with insurers required to approve or deny requests within 72 hours (24 hours in emergencies). Insurers must also report exception data to the state, including denial reasons and medical conditions involved. The law aims to balance cost management with patient safety by prioritizing clinical evidence and physician discretion.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time teachers can return to service under New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) after leaving their positions. Specifically, it increases the window from 10 to 15 years for teachers who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service when they voluntarily terminated. The change applies to those who haven't withdrawn their retirement contributions and wish to resume membership. This adjustment allows eligible teachers more time to return to teaching roles without losing pension eligibility. The policy directly affects public school teachers in New Jersey who leave employment under these specific circumstances.
Maddy summarySJR 149 designates May 18 of each year as "Six Triple Eight Day" in New Jersey to commemorate the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-African American, all-female U.S. Army unit that served during World War II. The resolution honors the unit’s efforts in delivering 14 million pieces of backlogged military mail across Europe under challenging conditions, including racism and poor working environments. It specifically recognizes that 28 women from New Jersey served in the battalion, including members like Gladys Eva Debman-Blount and Marion VanOrkey. As a commemorative resolution, it requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging observance but contains no binding policy changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires construction permit applicants in New Jersey to disclose the anticipated funding sources and amounts for their projects when applying for permits. It directly affects developers and builders seeking construction permits, mandating this disclosure as part of their initial application. Before receiving a certificate of occupancy, applicants must either certify the accuracy of their submitted funding details or provide updated information. The Commissioner of Community Affairs must create specific rules within 180 days to implement these disclosure requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new offense for "inciting a public brawl" when someone purposefully organizes four or more people to engage in disorderly conduct (like fighting or violent behavior) at a public event or gathering. It upgrades penalties for disrupting public gatherings: causing such a disturbance becomes a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine) instead of a lesser disorderly conduct charge. The bill also adds a separate offense for concealing one's identity during disorderly conduct to avoid arrest. These changes directly affect individuals who organize or incite group disturbances in public spaces like events, parks, or venues.