Sen. Joe Lagana

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2260 strengthens legal protections for patients and providers accessing or delivering reproductive and gender-affirming health care services within the state. The bill explicitly defines "legally protected health care activities" to include seeking, providing, or assisting with these services (such as abortion, contraception, or gender-affirming care), regardless of a patient's location. It prohibits obstruction, intimidation, or physical barriers at facilities offering these services and grants licensing boards authority to impose civil penalties for violations. This directly affects patients traveling to New Jersey for care (not available in their home states) and healthcare providers operating in these fields. The law codifies existing protections to prevent harassment or violence against these services, following increased threats and protests nationwide after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a provisional license for new motor vehicle dealers in New Jersey, allowing them to operate temporarily while their full license application is processed. It directly affects new dealers who are setting up businesses, enabling them to begin selling vehicles before meeting all permanent licensing requirements. The bill amends state law (R.S.39:10-2 and R.S.39:10-19) to define the provisional license, including standards for dealer facilities and vehicle inventory. This change streamlines the licensing process for new dealers without reducing regulatory oversight.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A4085 prohibits businesses from using consumers' personal data to set prices for goods or services. It specifically bans pricing strategies that vary prices based on biometric data, genetic information, or protected class data (like race, gender, or disability) through methods such as personalized algorithmic pricing or surveillance pricing. The law applies to all business entities selling merchandise or services within New Jersey and imposes fines up to $10,000 for first violations and $20,000 for repeat offenses, plus potential penalties like cease-and-desist orders. Businesses may still offer standard discounts, promotions, or loyalty programs, which are explicitly exempted from the ban.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the continuing education rules for real estate licensees in New Jersey and increases oversight of the companies and instructors that provide this training. It directly affects real estate brokers, salespersons, and the organizations that teach them, requiring more specific training hours and stricter standards for course providers. The legislation also expands background check procedures for license applicants and clarifies requirements for those working with real estate referral companies.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey businesses from using consumers' personal data - including biometric information, genetic data, or details about protected characteristics like race, age, or gender - to set prices for goods or services. It specifically bans "personalized algorithmic pricing" (using algorithms to adjust prices based on personal data) and "surveillance pricing" (customizing prices based on tracking consumer behavior). The law does not prevent businesses from offering standard discounts, promotions, or loyalty programs. It directly affects all businesses selling merchandise or services to New Jersey residents and enforces penalties of up to $20,000 per violation under the state's Consumer Fraud Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary "provisional" license for new motor vehicle dealers in New Jersey, allowing them to operate while meeting full licensing requirements. It directly affects new dealers who are setting up their businesses, giving them a short-term license before they must comply with all standard rules (like maintaining an established business location and selling a minimum of four new vehicles annually). The key mechanism creates a new license category under existing law, enabling provisional operation while dealers fulfill requirements such as having proper documentation and business infrastructure. This change streamlines entry for new dealers without altering the core standards for full licensure.

Maddy summaryS 2338, the "Climate Superfund Act," imposes strict liability on fossil fuel companies responsible for over one billion metric tons of covered greenhouse gas emissions during 1995-2026 (the "covered period"). It requires these companies to pay compensatory damages into a state fund managed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The collected funds will finance climate change adaptation projects - such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and heat-resilient housing - as defined in the bill. This legislation directly affects major fossil fuel extraction and refining entities operating in New Jersey during the covered period, establishing a new cost recovery program without requiring proof of negligence.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a three-year pilot program in large New Jersey counties to allow groups of nonpublic schools to share funding for nursing services. Under the plan, school districts would transfer state aid currently given for nonpublic nursing directly to a nonprofit consortium that would deliver these services to participating students. The legislation requires the consortium to undergo annual audits and mandates that the state education commissioner evaluate the program's success after two years to decide whether to expand it statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the governance of New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program by creating a new 13-member State Health Benefits Commission. The commission will include existing state officials, representatives from local and higher education employers, and members appointed by various public employee unions, including specific seats for police and firefighters. It also establishes a process for selecting an independent expert to advise on health plan design while ensuring the commission operates with a majority vote requirement. The legislation mandates that commission members serve without pay but receive expense reimbursement, and it requires the commission to publish an annual financial report for public review.