Sen. Gordon Johnson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to establish a tap-to-pay system for rail and light-rail services within 18 months. It mandates that customers can pay by tapping credit/debit cards at entry/exit points, load digital transit cards onto mobile wallets, use digital tickets without physical tickets, or purchase reusable physical cards. NJT may charge a fee for physical cards (waived for seniors and people with disabilities) and must study other states' systems while trying to reassign employees displaced by the transition. The policy directly affects NJT passengers and employees, replacing physical ticket purchases with contactless options.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4310) allows military law enforcement officers who served in the U.S. Armed Forces or Reserve under honorable conditions to receive credit toward New Jersey's basic police training course requirements when applying for law enforcement jobs in the state. It directly affects veterans transitioning from military law enforcement roles to civilian police positions in New Jersey. The law requires the Police Training Commission to grant exemptions for portions of the training course that match the veteran's prior military training, while still requiring completion of non-equivalent portions. It does not permit full exemption from the entire course, aligning with current law but explicitly expanding the exemption category to include military service.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain firms providing companion, health care, or personal care services in homes (for seniors or people with disabilities) to register as "Health Care Service Firms" with New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs. It raises the Medicaid revenue threshold for mandatory audits from $250,000 to $5 million and sets new requirements for financial reporting based on firm size: annual financial statements for all, audits for firms with over $5 million in Medicaid revenue, and detailed reports for firms with $1 million-$10 million in gross income. Firms must disclose insurance, litigation, contractor use, and major transactions. The law imposes a $500-per-day penalty for operating without registration.

Maddy summaryS 3199 establishes the New Jersey-Haiti Commission within the Department of State to strengthen economic and cultural ties between New Jersey and Haiti, with a specific focus on addressing economic challenges faced by New Jersey's Haitian-American community - the state's fourth-largest Haitian population in the U.S. The 13-member commission, led by the Secretary of State and including 12 public members appointed by the Governor (based on legislative recommendations), will conduct research, hold quarterly public hearings, and analyze data on migration patterns, demographics, and economic impacts. It will identify opportunities for collaboration in areas like trade, healthcare, education, and cultural exchanges, then submit annual reports with policy recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. This bill creates a formal structure for ongoing dialogue and evidence-based policy development between New Jersey and Haiti.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates May 18 of each year as "Six Triple Eight Day" in New Jersey to honor the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-African American, all-female U.S. Army unit that served during World War II. The resolution commemorates their historic achievement in delivering over 14 million pieces of backlogged mail to U.S. personnel in Europe under difficult conditions. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day. The resolution specifically recognizes that 28 New Jersey women served in the unit, including those from Allentown, where one member was born on May 18.

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 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 summaryThis bill requires the municipalities of Edison, Metuchen, and South Plainfield - each of which appoints members to the Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preservation Commission - to appoint one alternate member per municipality. The alternate serves a five-year term and may participate in commission meetings but can only vote when a regular member is absent or unable to serve. The bill does not alter the commission’s structure, duties, or membership size, but ensures continuity by mandating alternates for regular appointments. This applies specifically to the commission overseeing wildlife preservation in the designated area of Middlesex County.

Maddy summaryAJR 217 is a commemorative resolution designating April 9 of each year as "Paul Robeson Day" in New Jersey. It honors Paul Robeson, a Rutgers University scholar, athlete, actor, singer, and civil rights activist born in Princeton, NJ, who broke racial barriers in the 1920s-1930s and advocated for global justice. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day through activities and programs. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or affect specific groups but formally commemorates Robeson's legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires each municipal appointing authority (Edison Township, Metuchen Borough, and South Plainfield Borough) to appoint one alternate member for the Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preservation Commission. The alternate serves a five-year term, may participate in commission discussions, but can only vote if a regular member is absent or disabled. The bill does not change the commission's structure or duties, only adding this procedural requirement for continuity. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 2 sentences as required.)