Sen. Joe Lagana

Maddy summaryS 4983 extends the deadline for enrolling newborn infants in health benefits coverage from 60 days to 90 days after birth. This change applies to both family health plans (covering parents and dependents) and individual plans that include newborns. Parents will now have 90 days, instead of 60, to submit birth notification and required payments to maintain continuous coverage for their infant. The bill does not alter the initial coverage start date (which remains effective at birth) but provides additional time to complete enrollment paperwork.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides labor protections for cannabis workers who are currently excluded from federal and state labor law protections. It establishes that cannabis employers (those not covered by the National Labor Relations Act) must allow employee organizations to represent workers, negotiate contracts, and access employees for meetings. The bill prohibits unfair labor practices by cannabis employers, such as discriminating against employees who join unions or refusing to negotiate in good faith. Employers who violate these provisions face fines up to $5,000 per day and must make employees or organizations whole for losses. The bill applies to workers employed by cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, dispensers, and other cannabis businesses operating under New Jersey's cannabis regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies New Jersey law to allow real estate salespersons and broker-salespersons to form limited liability companies (LLCs) to receive commissions directly, without disrupting their business relationship with their employing broker. It specifically permits these professionals to accept payments from their LLCs (or other permitted entities) for services, as long as their written agreement with the broker remains unchanged. The New Jersey Real Estate Commission must establish a registration process for these LLCs to operate under the new rules. The change affects real estate professionals who use business entities for compensation, updating existing rules that previously restricted commission sources to only their employer or contracting broker.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a 5% upfront cash requirement for local governments issuing bonds to fund hazard mitigation and resilience projects, such as flood protection or storm-resistant infrastructure. It directly affects municipalities and counties seeking to finance these projects, making it easier to access funding without needing to secure an additional 5% of the bond amount in advance. The bill also exempts these projects from needing special approval from the Local Finance Board regarding bond maturity schedules. This change streamlines financing for critical community resilience efforts supported by the NJ Infrastructure Bank or the Department of Environmental Protection.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3864) allows families or guardians of individuals aged 19-21 with developmental disabilities to save unused after-school care hours provided by contracted agencies. Specifically, it permits redirecting unused hours from regular after-school service schedules to holiday or weekend hours without needing new authorization. The policy applies only to existing agency-provided after-school care services (defined as social/recreational activities outside the home during non-school hours) already authorized for these individuals. It requires the Division of Children’s System of Care to implement this change, effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill allows limited liability companies (LLCs) to terminate a registered alternate name before the five-year registration period ends. Previously, LLCs had to wait out the full five years, unlike corporations which could terminate early, creating a regulatory disparity. The bill requires LLCs to file a termination certificate with the State Treasurer stating they've ceased using the name, with a $50 fee. This change aligns LLC regulations with corporate rules for managing alternate names under New Jersey's limited liability company law.

Maddy summaryS 4992 clarifies New Jersey's regulations for underground storage tanks (USTs) by requiring the Environmental Protection Department to adopt specific rules within one year. The bill mandates standardized testing schedules for tanks based on age, stored substance, proximity to water sources, and corrosion risks, along with construction and operation standards aligned with federal EPA guidelines (with stricter rules allowed in wellhead protection areas). UST owners and operators must maintain records, report leaks, take corrective actions, designate a responsible person for compliance, and maintain financial responsibility for cleanup. The rules must also be incorporated into the state construction code within 60 days.

Maddy summaryS 4989 establishes a provisional license for new motor vehicle dealers in New Jersey, allowing them to operate temporarily while meeting full licensing requirements. The bill sets specific standards for the physical facilities dealers must use, including requirements for location and condition. This directly affects new car dealers seeking to open or expand a dealership, as they must comply with these facility standards to transition from a provisional to a permanent license. The provisional license provides a temporary pathway for dealers to begin operations without waiting for full approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires third-party reservation services (like apps or websites) to obtain a written agreement with a restaurant before listing, advertising, or selling its reservations. It directly affects restaurants (defined as any food service business, including food trucks) and third-party reservation platforms. The law prohibits unauthorized reservation arrangements, with violations subject to civil penalties of up to $500 per day per restaurant, and allows restaurants to sue for damages or seek court injunctions.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts reverse mortgage transactions from New Jersey's requirement that secondary mortgage loan payments be made in equal amounts and regular intervals. It directly affects reverse mortgage borrowers in New Jersey by allowing flexibility in payment schedules, such as reduced or skipped payments during periods of lower income. The key provision amends existing law (P.L.2009, c.53) to remove the "substantially equal payment periods" rule specifically for reverse mortgages, while maintaining other standard requirements like the borrower notice. Current law mandates equal installment payments for most secondary mortgages, but this exemption applies only to reverse mortgages as defined by federal law.