Sen. Nellie Pou

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 914) requires health insurers and New Jersey's Medicaid programs to cover telemedicine and telehealth services on the same terms as in-person care. It mandates equal reimbursement rates for providers, prohibits higher copays or deductibles for telehealth visits, and bans restrictions on where providers can deliver care remotely. The bill also requires telehealth systems to include accessible communication features for people with disabilities. These changes apply to all health benefits plans and Medicaid programs in New Jersey, ensuring consistent access to virtual care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses offering digital asset services (like virtual currency exchanges) to obtain a license from New Jersey's Bureau of Securities. It applies to any business operating within New Jersey or targeting New Jersey residents, excluding traditional securities (which remain regulated under existing laws). The law defines key terms like "digital asset" (excluding securities) and "licensee," mandating that businesses must be licensed to operate. The Bureau of Securities will administer the licensing process, including overseeing "responsible individuals" managing these businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a process to bar health care providers from receiving payment for services under New Jersey's auto insurance personal injury protection (PIP) coverage when they engage in specific misconduct. It directly affects providers who bill for services never rendered, make false medical reports, solicit patients improperly, or refuse to cooperate with investigations. The Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, after a due process hearing, can temporarily suspend or permanently bar providers from reimbursement and must publicly list barred providers. The law aims to prevent fraudulent or unnecessary billing while ensuring providers receive notice and hearing opportunities before being barred.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires architects in New Jersey to disclose the type of professional liability insurance they carry to clients before signing any architectural services contract. It specifically mandates that architects entering public contracts (such as for government buildings) must carry errors and omissions insurance. The law applies directly to licensed architects and their clients, ensuring transparency about insurance coverage upfront. The bill amends existing law and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryS 2243 establishes a five-year pilot program to create "community schools" in New Jersey, defined as public schools coordinating educational, health, family, and community services through partnerships. It directly affects one public, charter, or renaissance school per county, which will receive support from a site coordinator hired by a university or nonprofit managing the program. Key mechanisms include training for schools, a technical assistance center for sharing best practices, and a dedicated fund for program costs using state and private funds. The pilot aims to integrate services year-round but does not mandate permanent changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 58) provides property tax exemptions for New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. It allows veterans with a 30% or higher disability rating (including specific conditions like blindness, amputations, or paralysis) to receive a tax exemption proportional to their disability percentage, up to 100%. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans or those who died in service also qualify for similar exemptions under defined conditions. Crucially, the bill requires the state to reimburse municipalities 102% of the lost tax revenue from these exemptions, ensuring local governments aren’t financially burdened. The policy directly affects honorably discharged veterans with qualifying disabilities and their surviving spouses.

Maddy summaryS 2239 extends New Jersey's requirement that child care subsidy payments for licensed centers and registered family day care providers be based on the number of enrolled eligible children (not attendance) until June 30, 2025. The bill mandates that providers set staff wages and hours based on enrollment numbers, not attendance, and requires the Division of Family Development to study the cost differences between enrollment-based and attendance-based payments. This study must be reported to the Governor and Legislature within three years of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program allowing opioid treatment programs in Atlantic City, Camden, and Paterson to use telehealth for remote monitoring of patients receiving take-home methadone doses. It appropriates $225,000 ($75,000 per participating program) to cover costs and requires each program to report annually on patient outcomes, treatment compliance, and cost savings like reduced transportation needs. Participation is voluntary for patients, and programs must use department-approved telehealth technology. The pilot aims to evaluate whether remote methadone dosing improves treatment adherence and lowers costs, with a final report due to the Governor and Legislature within four years to inform potential statewide expansion.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1314) sets limits on long-term real estate listing agreements in New Jersey. It prohibits "right-to-list home sale agreements" exceeding 10 years and requires them to include an early termination option: owners can end the contract early by paying up to 6% of the initial price per year (compounded annually). Real estate brokers must provide fully executed contracts with a clear termination date and comply with these rules, or face penalties under amended licensing law (R.S.45:15-17), including fines up to $10,000 for violations. The bill directly affects homeowners signing long-term listing contracts and real estate brokers handling such agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey professional licensing boards (e.g., for nursing, engineering, or cosmetology) to track how long other states take to approve initial license applications. Boards must calculate a national average approval time based on data from other states and adopt it as their official timeline for processing new licenses. If a board misses this average, it must use licensing fees to hire experts who identify efficiency improvements to meet the standard. The Division of Consumer Affairs reviews compliance annually, with boards retaining fee revenue until they meet the national average timeline.