Maddy summaryThis bill renames the Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities to the Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Disabilities, expanding its scope to support *all* individuals with disabilities (not just intellectual or developmental disabilities) and their families. It creates a deputy ombudsman position to step in during the ombudsman’s absence or when conflicts of interest arise, ensuring continuity of services. The bill also updates definitions to include a broader range of disabilities - such as physical, sensory, or mental health conditions - and clarifies the office’s duty to provide information on state and federal laws affecting all disability groups. These changes aim to make the office’s services more inclusive and accessible across New Jersey’s disability community.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 1178 establishes the Office of Disordered Eating Prevention within New Jersey's Department of Health and creates a Disordered Eating Prevention Research Grant Program. The office must develop annual public resources about disordered eating (defined as irregular eating behaviors that may not meet clinical eating disorder criteria), collaborate with mental health programs, and partner with schools to promote prevention. The grant program provides funding to organizations researching disordered eating causes and prevention strategies, particularly for youth, older residents, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals who face disproportionate impacts. The bill appropriates state funds to implement these provisions, requiring annual reports on the office's activities and grant program outcomes.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2236 establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsman for Children within the Attorney General's office (though operating autonomously). The ombudsman will directly support children at risk of abuse/neglect, those in foster care, and youth under state supervision by investigating systemic issues, monitoring child welfare services, and ensuring agencies comply with standards. Key mechanisms include accessing child welfare records, inspecting facilities like group homes and shelters, issuing subpoenas for investigations, and operating a 24-hour hotline for public concerns. The office will report findings to the Governor and Legislature to improve coordination and address gaps in child welfare services across state agencies.
Maddy summarySJR 26 is a ceremonial joint resolution designating May of each year as "Military Spouse Appreciation Month" in New Jersey. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies but formally recognizes military spouses' contributions. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance through activities and programs during May. This designation directly affects military spouses in New Jersey by providing official state recognition of their support for service members. The measure takes immediate effect upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to appoint a licensed mental health specialist for student-athletes participating in interscholastic or intramural sports programs. The specialist must conduct three annual mental health screenings per season (more for multi-sport athletes), provide weekly support for injured athletes, and develop a district-wide mental health policy. Schools must collect aggregated, non-identifiable data from screenings and submit it to the state department annually. Parental consent is required for screenings, and students without consent cannot participate in sports. The bill also creates a state mental health registry for aggregated data and makes funding available for implementation. (Introduced January 13, 2026; pending in Senate Education Committee)
Maddy summaryS 1133 allows volunteer firefighters, first aid squad members, and rescue squad members in New Jersey to claim a $5,000 deduction from their state income tax if they meet specific service requirements. To qualify, firefighters must perform 60% of fire duty (e.g., 400 duty hours yearly with ≤50% for drills or 60% attendance at alarms/drills) and hold Firefighter I certification by January 1. First aid/rescue volunteers must complete 10% of rescue duty (400 hours yearly or 10% alarm attendance with 60% drill participation) and have approved training or EMT certification. The deduction applies only to those who volunteered full-time during the tax year and must be claimed with verification from their department.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to teach students in grades 4-12 about menstrual toxic shock syndrome (TSS) as part of health education, covering causes, symptoms, and risk reduction. It also mandates that owners of public restrooms (with two or more toilets) in businesses like stores or offices install clear signs about TSS warning signs and risks, placed near tampon dispensers or prominently in the restroom. The state education agency must provide age-appropriate lesson materials, and the health department must create signage standards and online resources about TSS. The bill applies to public restrooms in non-school buildings (excluding elementary schools with only up to grade 5) and aims to improve public awareness of this rare but serious condition.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows drivers cited for certain traffic violations to have the charges dismissed if they correct the issue and provide proof before their court date. It applies to fineable violations like equipment problems, registration, or insurance lapses, but excludes safety hazards, fraud, suspended licenses, or unapproved vehicle modifications. Drivers must submit acceptable documentation (such as repair receipts or DMV records) to the court within the specified timeframe; if provided, the court may collect a small fee ($33 max or 25% of the original fine, whichever is less) instead of the full penalty. The bill does not apply to violations involving alcohol testing, safety risks, or cases where the driver fails to correct the issue promptly.
Maddy summaryS 855, "Michelle's Law," requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover mammograms when recommended by a healthcare provider. It mandates coverage for a baseline mammogram at age 40, annual mammograms for women 40 and older, and mammograms for women under 40 with specific risk factors (like family history or dense breast tissue) as determined by their doctor. The law also requires coverage for additional tests like ultrasounds or MRIs after a mammogram if medically necessary due to breast density, abnormal results, or other risk factors. Insurance companies may review the medical necessity of these additional tests but cannot deny coverage for recommended screenings. This applies to all group and individual health insurance plans sold in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryS 71 ensures religious organizations in New Jersey can continue holding in-person services during Governor-issued state or public health emergencies. The bill prohibits emergency declarations from restricting worship gatherings, travel to places of worship, or imposing penalties on religious institutions for exercising faith. However, it requires religious groups to follow the same health, safety, and occupancy rules applied to all essential businesses during emergencies. This directly affects religious congregations, leaders, and members seeking to maintain in-person worship during crises like pandemics or natural disasters. The bill does not override standard public health requirements but explicitly protects religious assembly rights under emergency declarations.