Maddy summaryThe "Patient and Provider Protection Act" regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) in New Jersey, directly affecting PBMs, pharmacies (both contracted and independent), and patients who use prescription drugs. It requires PBMs to establish conflict-free committees managing drug formularies, ensures generic drugs are not disadvantaged over higher-cost alternatives, and bans commission-based PBM compensation in favor of flat fees. The bill mandates PBMs to prioritize long-term patient health outcomes, prohibits misleading marketing to steer patients to network pharmacies, and sets reimbursement rules: contracted pharmacies must be paid at least their acquisition cost, while independent pharmacies receive rates no more than 5% below the lowest contracted rate (but not below cost). It also bans contracts conditioning drug rebates on excluding generic drugs and prevents PBMs from restricting independent pharmacies from matching network prices and quantities.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires children in home education programs and their parents or guardians in New Jersey to meet annually with a school district representative. The representative must be a designated school counselor, nurse, or social worker employed by the district. The meeting serves two purposes: allowing parents to request school support for their home education, and enabling the school staff to conduct a general health and wellness check on the child. The requirement takes effect in the first full school year after the bill is enacted.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey state tax credit to help offset college costs. It provides a $750 credit for full-time tuition and maintenance payments (for the taxpayer or a dependent under 22) and a $375 credit for part-time attendance (with at least six credits per semester). The credit is applied against the taxpayer's gross income tax liability, directly benefiting families or individuals paying for New Jersey county college education. It aims to make community college more affordable by reducing the tax burden associated with these costs.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1514) creates criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly endanger children via social media or other electronic communication. It amends New Jersey law to specifically prohibit using electronic means (including social media platforms) to engage in conduct likely to harm a child’s physical, mental, or moral welfare, or to direct children into dangerous activities. Those with legal care responsibilities for the child face second-degree charges, while others face third-degree charges. The law explicitly excludes internet service providers protected under federal law (Section 230) from these penalties. It directly affects anyone using digital platforms to endanger children under 18, with penalties applying to distribution, possession, or storage of child sexual abuse material shared online.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires motor vehicle dealers in New Jersey to provide consumers with a copy of any loan application prepared for a vehicle sale at the time of transaction. It directly affects dealers who sell vehicles and consumers who apply for financing during purchases. The key provision clarifies that dealers must disclose loan applications - previously not explicitly required by law - to prevent potential submission of inaccurate financial information that could help consumers qualify for loans they otherwise wouldn't. If passed, violations would be considered unlawful under the Consumer Fraud Act, subject to fines up to $20,000 per offense.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires gubernatorial and state legislative candidates, along with their campaign committees, to report campaign contributions within 48 hours of receiving them, instead of the current cumulative or quarterly filing schedule. It also mandates the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) to post these reports on its website within 72 hours of filing. The bill directly affects candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and state Senate or Assembly seats, streamlining transparency around campaign financing. This replaces the existing reporting timeline with faster submission and public posting requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows counties in New Jersey to choose cremation instead of burial for unclaimed adult or child bodies, rather than requiring burial. It requires counties to cover cremation or burial costs if no estate or family can pay, and updates storage rules: hospitals may hold unclaimed bodies for up to 30 days before county action, with cremains retained by medical examiners for one year before interment. Families claiming a buried body or cremains must pay disinterment costs, while medical examiners cover disinterment for investigations. The bill directly affects counties, hospitals, medical examiners, and families seeking remains.
Maddy summaryS 2112 requires all New Jersey state employees (in career, senior executive, or unclassified service) to complete training on disability law and etiquette. The training, developed by the State Treasurer and Commissioner of Human Services, covers the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations, and proper interaction techniques with people with disabilities. Existing employees must complete the training within 180 days of implementation (no later than one year after the bill takes effect) and every two years thereafter; new hires must complete it within 180 days of starting. Employees must certify completion to their employer, who retains records and provides copies to state officials upon request.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities with career fire departments to deploy personnel for fire suppression and rescue operations in line with NFPA 1710 (2020 edition), a nationally recognized safety standard. It mandates the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create implementing rules and directs municipal governing bodies or fire commissioners to ensure compliance. The policy directly affects paid or part-paid fire departments that respond to at least 50% of initial full-alarm assignments. It aims to standardize safety practices for career firefighters, preventing local relaxation of requirements due to budget or political considerations. The law takes immediate effect upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2152) changes how fire districts in New Jersey can request tax increases above the 2% property tax levy cap. Currently, fire districts must hold a voter referendum to raise taxes beyond this limit, but the bill would allow them to instead seek approval directly from the Local Finance Board. The Board would review requests based on changes in budget needs or revenue, and its decision would be final with no appeals allowed. This affects fire districts’ budgeting process but does not change the 2% tax cap itself.