Sen. Holly Schepisi

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover social adult day care services for seniors aged 60+ who meet the same clinical, income, and asset standards as participants in the state's community-based long-term care program (MLTSS). It expands current coverage - currently limited to MLTSS enrollees - to all eligible Medicaid seniors, regardless of MLTSS enrollment. The coverage provides non-medical daytime care in a protected setting when caregivers are unavailable, supporting seniors with functional impairments through individualized care plans. The state must seek federal Medicaid waivers for funding, and the law won't take effect until federal approval is secured.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's rear seat belt law by making failure to wear a seatbelt a primary offense (allowing police to stop drivers solely for this violation), rather than a secondary offense under current law. It requires all state and local law enforcement agencies to report traffic stop data related to rear seat belt citations one year after the law takes effect, including details about the stop, citations issued, and whether searches or arrests occurred. The Attorney General must analyze this data compared to pre-law enforcement practices and report findings to the Governor and Legislature within six months. Additionally, implementation data must be included in New Jersey's annual highway safety plan submitted to federal agencies. The bill aims to improve safety by strengthening seat belt enforcement, with no changes to vehicle search or inspection authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 58) provides property tax exemptions for New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. It allows veterans with a 30% or higher disability rating (including specific conditions like blindness, amputations, or paralysis) to receive a tax exemption proportional to their disability percentage, up to 100%. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans or those who died in service also qualify for similar exemptions under defined conditions. Crucially, the bill requires the state to reimburse municipalities 102% of the lost tax revenue from these exemptions, ensuring local governments aren’t financially burdened. The policy directly affects honorably discharged veterans with qualifying disabilities and their surviving spouses.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates New Jersey's Transfer Inheritance Tax for estates of decedents dying on or after July 1, 2021. It repeals all existing laws imposing this tax, which previously taxed transfers to beneficiaries (including siblings, non-relatives, and others) at rates up to 16%, affecting anyone receiving assets from a New Jersey estate. The repeal removes New Jersey from the list of six states with an inheritance tax. Existing tax obligations for deaths before July 1, 2021, remain unaffected.

Maddy summarySCR 61 creates a special 14-member joint committee of the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly to investigate costs in public employee health care programs. The committee will examine recent premium increases, the state's contract with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, allegations about Governor's Office influence on contract disputes, and implementation of a 2019 law creating new funding structures. It will review all related decisions and documents, then issue a report with recommendations for policy changes. This procedural bill directly affects state health care program oversight and does not enact new policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to reimburse volunteer firefighters for cancer screenings not covered by their insurance. It applies to all volunteer firefighters who have served at least five years, mandating screenings every three years for 11 specific cancers (including colon, lung, prostate, and skin). The state covers up to $1,250 per three-year period (adjusted for inflation), with no out-of-pocket costs for firefighters. Volunteer firefighting is treated as a pre-existing condition for coverage purposes, and annual state funding must be appropriated to cover these reimbursements. The bill takes effect immediately.