Sen. Holly Schepisi

Maddy summaryThis bill requires vehicles transporting children to licensed New Jersey child care centers (excluding private passenger cars) to have an alarm system that reminds drivers to check for children before exiting. The alarm system must meet safety standards set by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), which will develop rules for approval in consultation with the Motor Vehicle Commission. The law applies directly to child care center drivers and operators of vehicles used for transporting enrolled children. It takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2014) temporarily prohibits New Jersey state agencies from requiring electric heating or water heating systems as the sole or primary option for buildings (including homes and businesses) until the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) completes a required report. The DCA must hold six public hearings across the state within 18 months to gather input on costs, impacts on ratepayers, environmental effects, and workforce considerations. The report, due within 24 months, will evaluate factors like retrofitting expenses, greenhouse gas reduction potential, and effects on low-income households before the prohibition lifts. The bill does not block voluntary incentives for electric systems or private choices to use them.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey hospitals from billing patients for inter-hospital medical transport when the hospital uses its own or contracted ambulance services and determines no clinically appropriate alternative transport (like a private vehicle) exists. Hospitals may still bill patients' health insurance plans for these services. The bill specifically excludes emergency transports: non-volunteer ambulance squads responding to 9-1-1 calls can bill patients or insurers for transport to the nearest appropriate hospital. It does not affect billing for emergency medical services or standard patient transportation to a hospital.

Maddy summaryThis bill delays New Jersey's fourth round of affordable housing obligations - including determining current and future housing needs and related lawsuits - from its original 2025 start date to July 1, 2028. It directly affects municipalities required to meet state-mandated affordable housing quotas under the Mount Laurel doctrine, which have faced financial strain from pandemic impacts, construction costs, and litigation. The delay allows municipalities to use data from the completed third round to better assess regional needs before setting new obligations. The bill does not affect existing housing-related court cases or settlements finalized before July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey school buildings (with two or more rooms or single rooms above the first floor) to keep exterior exit doors locked from the outside access side but unlocked from the inside egress side during all school hours. It mandates that doors automatically unlock or are manually unlocked by staff during emergencies like fire alarms. Schools must conduct monthly fire and security drills, with law enforcement attending at least one annual drill to review procedures. The policy aims to balance safety for quick exits during emergencies while maintaining building security during normal hours.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers in New Jersey to give parents or guardians access to medical records of minor patients, including records related to reproductive health services that are legal in the state. It specifically protects access to records about permitted reproductive care (like contraception or pregnancy services) while ensuring parents/guardians can obtain other medical information. Healthcare facilities and professionals providing this access are granted legal immunity from liability. The law amends existing privacy rules to clarify these access requirements and protections, applying to all minor patients except where specific exceptions apply (like child abuse concerns).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new independent State Office of the Consumer within New Jersey's Legislative Branch. The office will directly assess the accessibility and responsiveness of local government offices, school districts, state agencies, and regulated health insurance companies by conducting random phone calls and website evaluations. It requires the director to submit monthly reports to the governor and legislature detailing findings on call wait times, website usability, and ease of finding information. The director, appointed by legislative leaders, serves a six-year term and oversees these assessments to ensure public offices remain user-friendly and accessible.

Maddy summaryS 2088 requires New Jersey's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) to calculate the state's affordable housing obligations on a statewide basis instead of per municipality. This means COAH must determine the total need for low and moderate-income housing across the entire state, using a growth-share calculation method based on statewide development trends. Municipalities will no longer be required to calculate their own fair share of housing needs; instead, COAH will set statewide targets for housing development that meets federal income standards (30% or less for very low income, 50-80% for moderate income). The bill directly affects all New Jersey municipalities responsible for meeting housing obligations under the Fair Housing Act.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 943) allows county clerks to remove voters from mail-in ballot lists under three specific conditions: if USPS returns their ballot mail, they haven't used mail-in ballots for two consecutive years, or their address is undeliverable. Before removal, clerks must send written notice explaining the reason and how to continue voting by mail; voters have 30 days to respond or reapply. If unresponsive, voters are removed and receive a reapplication form. The bill also updates contact information requirements for voters, ensuring phone/email details remain private and aren't used for ballot corrections.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans covering groups of 50+ people in New Jersey to include coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment. It mandates coverage for specific services like in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, artificial insemination, and up to four egg retrievals per person, while defining infertility through medically established criteria (e.g., inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse for those under 35). Religious employers may opt out of covering certain procedures like IVF if it conflicts with their beliefs, provided they disclose this in writing to subscribers. The law applies to most commercial health plans but excludes government programs like NJ FamilyCare.