Sen. Gordon Johnson

Maddy summaryS 3060 requires all health insurance carriers in New Jersey to cover annual prostate cancer screening without out-of-pocket costs for men aged 40 to 75. This expands current law, which previously only mandated coverage for men 50+ or 40+ with risk factors, by broadening the age range and defining "prostate cancer screening" to include digital rectal exams, PSA tests, and follow-up diagnostics like imaging and biomarker tests. The bill applies to all health plans, including group policies, HMOs, individual plans, and state health benefit programs. It takes effect 90 days after enactment for all new or renewed contracts.

Maddy summaryThe John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey establishes new protections for voters in racial, color, and language-minority groups. It requires that all voting policies be interpreted in favor of protecting voting rights and prohibits policies that burden these voters. The law creates a preclearance process for certain political subdivisions needing Attorney General approval before implementing voting changes. It also mandates language assistance for limited English proficient voters and establishes a New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute to maintain public voting data.

Maddy summarySCR 43 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to New Jersey's Constitution that grants every resident a fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment, including pure water, clean air, a safe climate, and ecologically healthy habitats. It requires the state to act as trustee of public natural resources - such as air, water, public lands, and wildlife - and mandates that these resources be conserved and maintained for all people, both present and future. The amendment specifies that these rights are self-executing, meaning they can be directly enforced in court without requiring new legislation. If approved by voters, this would become a permanent part of New Jersey's Constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Commission on Insurance Reimbursement within New Jersey's Department of Banking and Insurance. The commission reviews and approves or denies applications from health insurance carriers seeking to reduce payment rates for specific medical procedures (identified by CPT codes with modifiers). It evaluates whether proposed rate cuts would limit patient access to care, destabilize the healthcare system, or harm licensed providers or facilities, and must consider input from affected healthcare providers. The commission must issue a final decision within 60 days and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. This directly affects insurance carriers (requiring pre-approval for rate cuts), healthcare providers (whose payments may be reviewed), and patients (whose care access is protected through the review process).

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's state pension and annuity funds must stop investing in the 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies, defined by carbon content in their oil, gas, and coal reserves. Funds must divest from these companies within one year (two years for coal companies), though they may temporarily pause divestment if fund values drop below 99.5% of their hypothetical value without divestment. Annual reports on progress and investments sold will be required, with transparency mandated to the Governor, Legislature, and Attorney General. The bill directly affects New Jersey's public employee retirement funds and their investment management.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes key changes to address sexual assault and abuse involving military personnel in New Jersey. It requires courts to issue temporary protective orders for military personnel victims who have received military protective orders, and establishes a central registry for military protective orders to improve enforcement. The bill prohibits firearm purchases for individuals subject to military protective orders, provides unpaid leave for military personnel involved in domestic violence or sexual assault cases, and ensures military sexual assault victims can receive compensation without needing to report the crime to superiors. Additionally, it clarifies jurisdiction over military installations and provides financial assistance for military members to travel to legal proceedings related to sexual assault.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish an Alzheimer's disease public awareness and education program. The program must include a public campaign covering symptoms, warning signs, and treatment options; educational materials for health providers; and training for police, fire, emergency medical staff, and judicial personnel to recognize symptoms and respond appropriately. DHS will develop and post accessible information about Alzheimer's on its website in English and Spanish, in consultation with the Alzheimer's Association. The law aims to improve public understanding of Alzheimer's, support early detection, and help professionals better assist affected individuals and families.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits harassing or taking specific wildlife species - including bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, and others - at competitive events where participants are rewarded for capturing them (e.g., contests offering prizes for wildlife). It bans organizing, promoting, or participating in such events, except for authorized field trials. Violators face a disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months in jail or $1,000 fine) and a five-year suspension of wildlife licenses and taking privileges. Injured wildlife must be taken to a licensed rehabilitator or vet, and killed wildlife remains are forfeited to the Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds "creating false public alarms" (such as fake bomb threats) to New Jersey's bias intimidation law, making it a crime when done to intimidate people based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics. It replaces a previously invalidated section of the law that focused on victims' perceptions rather than the perpetrator's intent. Bias intimidation involving false alarms will now be charged as one degree higher than the underlying offense, with potential sentences up to 30 years for serious cases. The law applies to anyone who creates false alarms with bias motives, expanding existing protections against hate-based intimidation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2673) expands New Jersey’s authority to prosecute certain crimes against minors committed outside the state. It amends New Jersey law to clarify that legal responsibilities for a child’s care established within New Jersey continue to apply even if harmful conduct - such as sexual exploitation or abuse - occurs in another jurisdiction. The law specifically targets individuals who distribute or possess material depicting child sexual exploitation (including online via file-sharing programs) and ensures New Jersey can pursue cases involving minors under its care, regardless of where the crime occurred. It directly affects caregivers with NJ-based legal duties and anyone distributing such material online.