Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals and clinical laboratories in New Jersey to offer hepatitis C screening tests to patients born between 1945 and 1965 during outpatient visits. It mandates that staff provide a verbal and written explanation of CDC recommendations and offer the test at registration, with positive results requiring follow-up contact. Laboratories must perform the test if consented to, and insurers must cover the cost at in-network rates without charging the patient beyond standard copays. The law aims to increase early detection among a high-risk age group, with the health commissioner required to report on its impact within one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1523) removes specific time period and location requirements for New Jersey veterans to qualify for state benefits. It amends the definition of "veteran" to eliminate the need to have served during exact historical conflict dates (like WWII or Vietnam War periods) or in designated locations. Veterans who served in the Armed Forces but missed these specific windows - such as those with service outside the defined dates - will now qualify if they meet the general service duration requirement (e.g., 90 days active duty). The change specifically affects veterans who previously couldn’t claim benefits due to timing/location constraints, while maintaining exceptions for those with service-connected injuries.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all licensed adult day health care facilities in New Jersey to create a "hybrid model" that provides services via telehealth when beneficiaries cannot attend in person. It applies when beneficiaries face hospitalization, illness, injury, caregiver issues, or to prevent disease outbreaks. Facilities must offer clinical, nursing, therapeutic, and meal services through telehealth (like video calls or remote monitoring), document them in care plans, and not exceed licensed capacity. Reimbursement for these telehealth services must match the standard rate for in-person care.

Maddy summaryBill S 313 requires businesses receiving economic development subsidies (over $25,000) to forfeit a portion of those funds or pay remediation costs if they violate New Jersey’s environmental laws. Specifically, if a business causes an environmental incident (e.g., pollution discharge triggering a state violation notice), it must either forfeit 20% of its annual subsidies or cover the full "costs to address the incident" (including cleanup, relocation, and health services). This applies to for-profit entities receiving state subsidies under programs administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The bill directly affects businesses that breach environmental laws while benefiting from state economic incentives, with no political advocacy - only a clear policy mechanism for accountability.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1061) changes how local police departments hire entry-level officers. It lets counties and municipalities request open competitive exams for police vacancies within 10 business days, and requires departments to prioritize hiring from local residents first, followed by other state residents and then out-of-state applicants. The bill also adds preferences for veterans and applicants whose parents were killed while serving as law enforcement officers (with documentation), and clarifies that these hiring rules apply only to initial appointments, not promotions. These changes directly affect local police departments and job applicants seeking entry-level law enforcement positions in New Jersey.

Maddy summarySJR 33 designates July 16 of each year as "Atomic Veterans Day" in New Jersey to honor military service members who participated in U.S. nuclear weapons tests (1945-1962), served near Hiroshima/Nagasaki, or were POWs in those areas. It specifically recognizes approximately 250,000 veterans, including New Jersey residents, who were historically barred from seeking VA medical care due to secrecy laws. The resolution requests the governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance but does not create new benefits or obligations. This is a symbolic gesture with no fiscal or regulatory impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1094) amends New Jersey's tax code to allow National Guard members who are honorably discharged to claim a $6,000 annual gross income tax deduction, regardless of whether they served in federal active duty status. Previously, this deduction required proof of federal active duty service under 10 U.S.C. §1209. The change directly affects New Jersey National Guard members who served honorably but were not called to federal active duty. The key provision removes the federal active duty requirement from the deduction eligibility criteria in N.J.S.54A:3-1. This policy change ensures all qualifying National Guard members receive the same tax benefit as veterans from other military branches.

Maddy summaryS 1083 requires New Jersey school meal providers (including food service companies and school districts) to give purchasing preference to foods produced by in-state farmers or other food producers located within 100 miles of the school when procuring local and regional foods for students. This applies to all schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or federal School Breakfast Program that buy local foods. The law amends existing procurement rules (Chapter 33 of Title 18A) to establish this geographic preference requirement. It directly supports regional agricultural producers while changing how schools source food for student meals.

Maddy summaryS 1084, the "Mental and Behavioral Health for Hispanics and Latinos Act," creates a statewide initiative to improve mental health support for Hispanic and Latino communities in New Jersey. It requires the Health Commissioner to develop and implement a culturally tailored outreach strategy - addressing language needs, subgroup differences (like age or gender), and pandemic impacts - through collaboration with community organizations. The bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to fund this strategy and mandates annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on its effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes. The strategy must include evidence-based treatments adapted for these communities and promote a holistic health approach connecting behavioral and physical health.

Maddy summaryS 2760 extends New Jersey's existing affordable housing preference for veterans to certain South Korean veterans who served as allies with U.S. forces in the Vietnam conflict. It amends state law to include South Korean veterans meeting specific criteria: they must be New Jersey residents/citizens, have served in Vietnam as U.S. allies, and hold a service-connected disability certification from South Korea. This adds them to the existing priority system for affordable housing, placing them behind homeless veterans (1st priority) and disabled veterans (2nd priority), but ahead of family caregivers (3rd priority). All applicants, including these veterans, must still meet the housing project's income requirements. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.