Sen. Holly Schepisi

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey licensed healthcare facilities to permit patients and residents to receive visitors, to the extent allowed by current federal or state law. It directly affects patients in nursing homes, hospitals, and other licensed facilities who were previously restricted from in-person visits during pandemic-related policies. The key provision mandates facilities to allow visitors chosen by the patient (including family, caregivers, or health agents) as long as it aligns with existing legal requirements. The bill takes immediate effect and does not change current visitor policies but ensures facilities comply with applicable laws regarding visitation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2105) proposes adding a new credit for municipalities that convert abandoned properties into affordable housing units. It would allow municipalities to count these rehabilitated units toward their required affordable housing quota (called the "fair share obligation") on a one-to-one basis, provided the units meet specific income and affordability standards. The credit applies to properties rehabilitated between 1980-1986, requiring certification that units are affordable to low/moderate-income households and comply with construction standards. This directly affects New Jersey municipalities obligated to provide affordable housing under state law. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises penalties for unlawfully taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent in New Jersey. It upgrades the basic offense (taking or operating a vehicle without consent) from a fourth-degree crime to a third-degree crime, increasing potential penalties to 3-5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine. It also upgrades the offense involving risk of injury or property damage from a third-degree to a second-degree crime, with penalties of 5-10 years in prison or a $150,000 fine. The bill directly affects individuals who take vehicles without permission, including cases commonly referred to as "joyriding."

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State Board of Education to rescind New Jersey's 2020 Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards and prohibits future adoption of similar curriculum requirements. It mandates that each local school district establish a publicly accessible Parental Advisory Committee (representing parents/guardians) to advise on health education standards, with all committee recommendations posted online. Districts must adopt new health education standards within 180 days of the bill's enactment, replacing the existing state-mandated standards. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public school districts, students, and parents by shifting curriculum authority to local committees rather than state standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents healthcare workers in New Jersey from losing unemployment benefits if they were terminated or quit due to refusing to comply with a vaccine mandate (Executive Order 283 of 2022). It directly affects healthcare workers who left jobs at covered facilities over vaccination requirements. The law ensures these workers remain eligible for unemployment benefits, overriding previous rules that could deny benefits for such job separations. The policy applies retroactively to claims filed after January 19, 2022, and expires one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey would join the Counseling Compact, allowing licensed professional counselors from other member states to provide services to New Jersey residents without needing a separate New Jersey license. The bill enables counselors to practice across state lines under the rules of the client's location (e.g., a counselor licensed in Pennsylvania could serve a New Jersey client via telehealth), while preserving each state's authority to regulate practice and protect public safety. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, sharing of disciplinary information between states, and support for telehealth services. This directly affects licensed counselors seeking to practice across state lines and clients in New Jersey who gain easier access to out-of-state counseling services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover mammograms starting at age 35 for all women, lowering the previous age requirement from 40. It mandates one baseline mammogram at age 35, annual screenings for women 35 and older, and additional testing (like ultrasounds or MRIs) if dense breast tissue, abnormal results, or risk factors (such as family history) are present. The coverage applies to all group and individual health insurance plans, including hospital service, medical service, and health service corporation contracts. Insurers must cover these services to the same extent as other medical benefits, though they may review medical necessity for additional tests. This directly affects women aged 35+ and those with specific breast cancer risk factors under 35.

Maddy summarySR 61 is a New Jersey Senate resolution urging the federal government to repeal the $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions established by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It specifically targets New Jersey residents who itemize federal tax returns - historically 41% of filers - who face high property taxes (averaging $9,112 in 2020) made more burdensome by the cap. The resolution argues repealing the cap would provide financial relief, particularly amid pandemic-related economic struggles, and aligns with New Jersey’s status as a "donor state" paying more in federal taxes than it receives.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2097) automatically removes state or local government employees from their current positions upon conviction for specific crimes, including offenses involving dishonesty, third-degree crimes, or crimes directly related to their job duties. It also permanently bans such individuals from holding any future public office, position, or employment in New Jersey. The bill creates a central registry to track all disqualified individuals and requires courts to issue forfeiture orders immediately at sentencing (with limited exceptions for good cause). It directly affects current and future public employees convicted of qualifying offenses under New Jersey or federal law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2101) amends New Jersey's affordable housing law to allow municipalities to create a preference program for veterans who served in war or emergencies. Specifically, it permits municipalities to reserve up to 50% of affordable housing units in new developments for these veterans during the initial 90 days of marketing, with veterans placed on a separate waiting list after that period. The preference applies only to veterans meeting specific service criteria under existing law (N.J.S.A. 54:4-8.10) and does not affect a municipality's ability to claim credit for housing units toward their fair share requirement. This change provides a targeted mechanism for veterans to access affordable housing while maintaining existing affordability requirements.