Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey local governments - including municipalities, counties, school districts, and public agencies - from naming public property (such as roads, parks, schools, or buildings) after a foreign terrorist organization designated by the federal government. It requires these entities to remove all existing signs, plaques, or displays referencing such groups within 30 days of the law taking effect and to rename the property within 90 days. The state will reimburse local governments for the costs of removal and renaming, and violations will trigger daily deductions from state aid. The Division of Local Government Services must maintain an annual list of designated foreign terrorist organizations and lands they control, excluding sovereign nations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 3587 upgrades retail theft offenses in New Jersey, including elevating "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime punishable by 10-20 years in prison. The bill creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales), which is a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail. It establishes a retail theft unit within the Department of Law and Public Safety to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, appropriating $1 million for this purpose. The bill also includes new requirements for gift card sales to prevent fraud, such as mandatory notices for retailers and packaging restrictions for both open- and closed-loop gift cards.
Maddy summaryS 4278 updates New Jersey law regarding how healthcare providers collect and record patient demographic information, particularly focusing on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The bill requires hospitals and clinical laboratories to implement cultural competency training for staff who collect this information, with specific guidelines for collecting it sensitively and respectfully. It prohibits healthcare providers from collecting sexual orientation or gender identity data for patients under 18 unless a parent or guardian voluntarily provides it, and even then, the information can only be used for medical diagnosis and treatment. The law also requires electronic medical records systems to be configured so healthcare providers can save patient demographic information without recording gender identity and sexual orientation for minor patients. The Department of Health is responsible for enforcing these requirements, with penalties for non-compliance including civil fines of up to $1,000 per day for vendors.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of "child" under New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) and State Police Retirement System (SPRS) to include children of any age who are disabled due to intellectual disability or physical incapacity. Specifically, it adds a new provision (d) requiring the disability to prevent substantial gainful work for at least 12 months, as certified by a medical board. This change directly affects surviving family members of retired or deceased police and firefighter members who qualify as disabled children under the new criteria. The policy shift ensures these disabled children may now receive survivor benefits previously only available to younger or education-focused dependents.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public and nonpublic schools in New Jersey to have at least one FDA-registered portable anti-choking device (which uses manual suction to clear airway blockages) available in the cafeteria, school nurse’s office, and other accessible locations during school hours and events, with clear signage. Schools must develop policies requiring staff training in airway management and device use, and the Commissioner of Education will provide annual training opportunities. The Department of Education will reimburse schools for device costs through a formal application process. The bill directly affects all New Jersey schools and their staff, focusing on immediate accessibility and preparedness for choking emergencies.
Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that New Jersey drivers and ID cardholders who designate themselves as organ donors retain that status automatically when renewing their license or card, without needing to re-register each time. The designation remains active unless the person actively removes it through a specified process outlined by the Motor Vehicle Commission. Licenses and ID cards will clearly display "ORGAN DONOR" to indicate this status, and the Commission must provide real-time electronic access to donor information for organ procurement organizations. This change simplifies the process for donors while maintaining their right to opt out.
Maddy summaryS 4236, the "Students with Communication Disabilities' Bill of Rights Act," requires New Jersey school districts to ensure students with communication disabilities (such as hearing, vision, or speech impairments) receive specific supports. It mandates school districts to provide trained assistants using a student's primary communication method (like sign language, AAC devices, or speech-generating tools), include communication plans in IEPs/504 plans, offer early screening and assessments, and guarantee full access to all school activities including extracurriculars. The bill does not create new rights but codifies existing requirements under federal laws like the ADA and IDEA. It applies directly to students with communication disabilities, their families, and public school districts across New Jersey.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 4251 establishes procedures for when health insurance carriers remove healthcare facilities from their provider networks or facilities leave a carrier's network. It requires 15 days of continued coverage for claims after notice is given to both parties and the Department of Banking and Insurance, along with public notices to patients about potential disruptions. If negotiations fail, the bill creates a 30-day special enrollment period for affected patients in small employer or individual health plans to switch coverage. During this period, carriers must cover claims from the former network as if in-network, and continue covering out-of-network claims until the next open enrollment or a new agreement is reached. The law directly affects patients in impacted counties, healthcare facilities, and insurers operating under New Jersey's health insurance regulations.
Maddy summaryS 843 requires New Jersey's Adjutant General (within the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs) to create a program helping veterans access evaluation and treatment for service-connected PTSD, total brain injury, or traumatic brain injury. The program must coordinate support services like transportation, assistance filing disability claims, updating discharge status, and connecting veterans to healthcare resources at local, state, and federal levels. It directly affects New Jersey veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces or Reserve components, including the National Guard. The bill amends state law to mandate this program, which will be developed in coordination with relevant state agencies.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires NJ FamilyCare to reimburse for multiple medical visits to different specialty providers at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) on the same day for enrollees. It mandates that referring providers document the medical necessity for each visit and ensures each encounter is with a distinct specialty provider. The bill explicitly states it does not override federal Medicaid rules, aligning with existing state regulations that currently limit FQHC visits to one per day unless multiple conditions or separate return visits occur. This change directly affects NJ FamilyCare enrollees seeking specialized care at FQHCs in underserved areas.