Maddy summaryS 1413 requires New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs to create and maintain an online open data portal on its website. The portal must provide public access to specific non-confidential datasets, including license application volumes, processing times, active license counts by county, exam pass rates, and consumer complaint statistics. Key mechanisms include annual updates, the ability to sort data by profession/county, and year-over-year comparisons, while ensuring compliance with open records laws and privacy regulations. This bill directly affects the Division of Consumer Affairs (which must implement the portal) and the public (which gains access to transparency data about licensing and complaints). The portal will not include confidential or non-disclosable information under state or federal law.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance carriers in New Jersey to automatically approve physician applications for provider networks if the physician holds a valid, unrevoked medical license from the state Board of Medical Examiners. It applies to both new applications and renewals, streamlining the process for licensed physicians seeking to join insurance networks. Carriers may request additional non-duplicative information but cannot deny applications based solely on license status. The law affects physicians seeking network participation and insurers managing provider credentialing.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurance carriers offering managed care plans to adopt new regulations ensuring policyholders have reasonable and timely access to specific physician specialists at in-network hospitals. It directly affects insurance companies and their members seeking care from anesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists, emergency medicine physicians, and related services. The key provision mandates the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to establish rules requiring networks to maintain adequate specialist access based on geographic service areas and specialty needs. These rules build on existing network adequacy standards but add explicit requirements for specialist availability. The bill aims to prevent gaps in access to critical specialty care within insurance networks.
Maddy summaryS 1379 (New Jersey) creates a presumption that illnesses or injuries suffered by public safety workers (firefighters, police, EMTs) who responded to the September 11, 2001 attacks are compensable under workers' compensation law, regardless of when a claim is filed. It requires workers to participate in the federal World Trade Center Health Program to qualify for benefits. The bill also specifies that benefits paid through federal programs (like the WTC Health Program) will be credited against future state benefits, preventing double payment. This directly affects New Jersey public safety workers exposed to 9/11 hazards who later developed related illnesses or injuries.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 3264) requires health insurance companies to use the federal Medicare/Medicaid resource-based relative value scale (RBRVS) when setting payment rates for specific doctor visits. It specifically applies to evaluation and management services (coded 99202-99499) that include modifier 25, which identifies a significant, separate visit occurring on the same day as another procedure. The law mandates that insurers base reimbursement payments on the federal RBRVS system, which calculates rates based on the resources needed to deliver care. This affects all health insurance carriers in New Jersey and directly impacts healthcare providers who bill for these specific types of visits.
Maddy summaryThis bill gives New Jersey electricity customers the right to refuse installation of smart meters. Utilities must provide written notice at least 90 days before installation, and customers can decline the smart meter for the entire duration of their account. If declined within 30 days of notice, utilities cannot charge any fees; if declined between 30-90 days, fees are capped at $100 for the account's lifetime. The law takes effect immediately but has a 60-day delay before becoming active.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide public boat access to State-owned lakes where boating (with or without motors) is permitted, within two years of enactment. The DEP must either construct access points or partner with private marinas through public bidding. The bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to cover these costs and mandates that if access cannot be provided, the DEP must report the reasons and required funding to the Governor and Legislature. This directly affects public boaters seeking access to State lakes and requires the DEP to use state funds for implementation.
Maddy summaryS 1066 requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Health to create a public awareness campaign focused on improving maternal and child health outcomes. The campaign will provide accessible information through a state website, including hospital data on cesarean births and breastfeeding rates to help women choose care providers, promote shared decision-making during childbirth, and share resources about breastfeeding, pregnancy discrimination rights, family leave options, and Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women. It specifically directs healthcare providers to document patient birth plans in medical records and encourages the use of high-value care options like midwives and lactation support. The bill aims to ensure equitable access to maternity care information for all women and children across racial and ethnic backgrounds. The campaign must coordinate with existing efforts to avoid duplication.
Maddy summaryS 1422 extends the deadline for enrolling a newborn infant in health benefits coverage from 60 to 90 days after birth. This change directly affects parents or guardians enrolled in family health insurance plans who must submit birth notification and required payments to maintain continuous coverage for their newborn. The bill modifies existing law to provide an additional 30 days for completing enrollment, ensuring families have more time to secure coverage without gaps. This adjustment applies specifically to family-type health insurance contracts under New Jersey's statutory framework.
Maddy summaryS 2039 clarifies jurisdiction rules for New Jersey's regional municipal courts established under a 2021 pilot program. It specifies that these courts no longer must handle State Police or county law enforcement cases originating outside participating municipalities (e.g., a case filed by State Police in a non-participating town), though counties may choose by ordinance to grant them such authority. Pending cases will remain with regional courts, but new cases from non-participating areas will now go to the municipality where the incident occurred. This change aims to reduce unintended caseloads and costs for regional courts while allowing non-participating municipalities to potentially close underused courts. The bill is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.