Sen. Benjie Wimberly

Maddy summaryThis bill grants emergency privileges to vehicles transporting human organs and medical personnel involved in time-sensitive procedures. It amends New Jersey's traffic laws to explicitly include these specialized transport vehicles within the category of authorized emergency vehicles. The changes allow these vehicles to operate with the same rights and exemptions as fire departments, police, and ambulances during emergency calls.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs to investigate complaints alleging that affordable housing rents are set excessively or discriminatorily. It defines excessive rent as charges that exceed legal limits, increase by more than 10 percent without justification, or conflict with approved rent schedules, and allows tenants or housing officials to report such issues. Upon receiving a complaint, the Division must investigate within 30 days and issue a determination within 90 days, while owners found guilty face escalating civil penalties and must provide restitution to affected tenants. The legislation also prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who file complaints and mandates the Division to submit an annual report on enforcement actions to state leaders.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Housing Placement for Survivors Program within the Department of Children and Families to help domestic violence survivors find temporary housing. It encourages landlords and hotel owners to offer reduced rental rates to survivors by allowing them to claim a state tax credit for the portion of costs they waive. The program defines specific terms for eligible housing, such as requiring a discount of at least 30 percent for stays between 30 and 180 days, and limits the total annual tax credits to $15 million. By providing financial incentives, the legislation aims to increase the availability of safe, short-term accommodations for individuals fleeing domestic violence.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill ensures that incarcerated individuals do not have to pay for medical care, surgery, dental services, or prescription drugs provided while in state or county custody. It also requires courts to notify health insurance plans when sentencing someone to prison or detention if that person is covered by such a plan. Under the new rules, the state and counties can seek reimbursement from these insurance plans for the costs of medical treatment provided to inmates, rather than charging the inmates themselves. The legislation clarifies that these reimbursement efforts do not interfere with the existing responsibilities of correctional officials to provide care.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a five-year pilot program to help young people aged 12 to 19 prepare for jobs through grants totaling $5 million. The funds will be given to nonprofit community groups that partner with local businesses and schools to offer training and career guidance during after-school and summer hours. These programs aim to teach youth the skills needed by employers while connecting them to future job opportunities. The initiative is designed to improve workforce quality and support economic mobility for young people in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill mandates that health insurance plans cover early-stage kidney disease screening without requiring patients to pay deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance. It applies to individuals whose doctors determine the screening is medically necessary based on guidelines from the National Kidney Foundation. The law specifically requires coverage for two types of tests: a blood test to measure kidney function and a urine test to check for protein. Insurance companies must treat these screenings the same as other medical conditions, ensuring patients can access them without out-of-pocket costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the New Jersey Prison Libraries Act, creates a special fund within the Department of Corrections to support library services for incarcerated individuals. The legislation establishes a $1 million appropriation and allows the department to use these funds for hiring librarians, upgrading library infrastructure, acquiring diverse reading materials, and offering educational programs like job training and digital literacy. The bill explicitly restricts the use of these funds to library-related activities, prohibiting their use for general prison operations, medical care, or basic necessities like food and clothing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to educate the public about living anatomical donations, such as organ transplants from living donors. To achieve this, agencies must distribute informational materials in both paper and digital formats, with the Department of Human Services providing the content and updating it at least every two years. The legislation also allocates $1 million from the state's General Fund to the Department of Human Services to support these educational efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Whole-Home Repairs Program within the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to provide financial assistance for home improvements. It targets low-income homeowners and small landlords by offering grants to owners and forgivable loans to landlords who agree to limit rent increases for at least two years. The program specifically funds repairs for accessibility, safety, energy efficiency, and weatherization, with priority given to seniors, people with disabilities, and those facing immediate health risks. A total of $25 million is appropriated from the state's General Fund to support these efforts while ensuring that construction work pays prevailing wages.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey housing assistance offices to provide voter registration forms to eligible individuals. Specifically, it mandates that offices within the Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, which help people secure housing vouchers, rentals, or mortgages, make these forms available. The legislation updates existing state laws to include these housing agencies alongside public libraries and other government offices that already distribute registration materials. By adding these locations to the list of designated sites, the bill aims to expand opportunities for residents to register to vote while clarifying that the Secretary of State, rather than the Attorney General, oversees election administration.