Sen. Joe Lagana

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts reverse mortgage transactions from a requirement that secondary mortgage payments be made in substantially equal amounts and periods. It specifically removes the current law mandate that secondary mortgages follow a schedule of equal payments (with limited exceptions), applying this exemption only to reverse mortgages. The change directly affects borrowers who take out reverse mortgages in New Jersey, allowing lenders more flexibility in structuring repayment terms. The bill amends existing mortgage law to clarify that reverse mortgage agreements are not subject to the standard equal-payment rules. This is a procedural change to mortgage regulations, not a new benefit or requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows businesses in New Jersey to round cash transaction amounts to simplify payments after the penny's production ended in 2025. It applies only to cash payments, not cards or other non-cash methods, and sets specific rules for rounding prices ending in cents like $.01, $.02, $.03, or $.04 to the nearest nickel or dime. Businesses that choose to use this rounding system must follow the outlined rules, with fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for violations. The law takes effect 30 days after being signed into legislation.

Maddy summaryS 3502 requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover stuttering treatment, including both habilitative (helping learn or maintain speech skills) and rehabilitative (restoring lost speech skills) speech therapy. It mandates coverage for in-person and telehealth services without cost-sharing like deductibles, copays, or annual limits, and eliminates prior authorization requirements. This directly affects all New Jersey residents with health insurance or Medicaid who need speech therapy for stuttering. The bill applies to all relevant insurance contracts issued in the state, ensuring consistent coverage for medically necessary stuttering treatment.

Maddy summaryS 1385 clarifies that contracts between insurance policyholders ("subscribers") and their authorized representatives ("attorneys in fact"), along with any fees from these contracts, are not considered "related party transactions" under New Jersey law. This directly affects subscribers who use attorneys in fact to manage their reciprocal insurance contracts. The bill amends existing insurance law (P.L.1945, c.161) to explicitly exclude these specific contracts from related party transaction rules, preventing them from being subject to additional regulatory scrutiny. The change takes immediate effect and applies to all reciprocal insurance contracts governed by the amended statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey municipalities to provide basic life support (BLS) emergency medical services as an essential public service. It directly affects every local government in the state, mandating they arrange for BLS care through five specific options: contracting with private or nonprofit entities, entering mutual aid agreements with other towns, partnering with hospitals, or using existing fire/emergency services. The law defines BLS as covering critical emergency care like CPR, wound treatment, and stabilization during transport. Municipalities must ensure these services meet community needs, with no specific funding details provided. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes licensing and certification standards for tobacco treatment specialists in New Jersey. It creates two new credentials: "Certified tobacco treatment specialist" (requiring a high school diploma, 42-hour training, and experience) and "Licensed clinical tobacco treatment specialist" (requiring a master's degree, 18 graduate counseling hours, and a national exam). The law directly affects professionals providing tobacco/nicotine counseling by setting education, training, and examination requirements. It amends existing law to mirror standards already applied to alcohol/drug counselors, aiming to ensure qualified practitioners meet consistent standards for public safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily allows professional licensing boards in New Jersey to process certain licensure applications with a reduced quorum if they cannot meet standard attendance requirements. Specifically, if a board fails to achieve a regular quorum after 90 days, it may proceed with applications that do not require legal review due to adverse criminal history records as long as a majority of members are present, or just two members if one is the chair. The measure applies to entities overseen by the Division of Consumer Affairs and is designed to keep licensing processes moving during staffing shortages. After one year, any board still unable to meet standard quorum requirements must submit a report to the Legislature recommending a merger with another entity.

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently exempts specific polystyrene foam food service products from New Jersey's law that generally bans their sale and use. It directly affects businesses by allowing the continued use of meat and fish trays for raw or butchered meat and any food items pre-packaged by the manufacturer in these materials. The legislation clarifies that these two categories of products are no longer subject to the state's prohibition, even though other polystyrene foam items remain banned. Additionally, the bill prevents local municipalities from creating their own rules regarding these specific exempted items.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey state law to officially change the professional title of "physician assistant" to "physician associate" in various legal contexts. The primary mechanism involves updating specific sections of the statutes governing assisted reproductive technology and artificial insemination to reflect this new terminology. While the bill's main purpose is a simple name change, it also defines roles such as physician associate within the existing framework for reproductive health services. The legislation does not alter the duties or qualifications of the professionals but ensures their titles are consistent across family law and medical regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows physician assistants working in behavioral health care to provide procedures and services without the direct supervision of a physician. It directly affects licensed physician assistants in New Jersey who treat patients for mental illness, emotional disorders, or substance use issues. The key change removes the requirement for a supervising physician when these professionals deliver care in settings like hospitals, clinics, or veterans' homes. Additionally, the law mandates that physician assistants maintain medical malpractice insurance or a letter of credit and clearly identify themselves to patients during treatment.