Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to close on November 11th each year for Veterans Day. Currently, school districts decide which holidays to observe, but this bill would mandate a closure on Veterans Day by prohibiting districts from opening schools on that date. The policy change would apply starting the first full school year after the bill's enactment. It directly affects students, staff, and families in New Jersey public schools by ensuring Veterans Day is observed as a school holiday.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 548) allows New Jersey election officials to use a single uniform ballot for both emergency ballots (when voting machines fail) and provisional ballots (for voters with registration issues), instead of printing separate sets of each. It directly affects election officials and polling places during elections. The key provision amends election laws to permit this uniform ballot format while maintaining all existing requirements for handling these ballots. This simplifies ballot preparation and reduces administrative burden without changing voting procedures or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryS 535 provides a one-time $100,000 grant to a New Jersey four-year public university to study and recommend effective strategies for increasing youth involvement in government. The university must submit a report within one year identifying existing best practices and recommending the most effective approaches for engaging young people. The report will be shared with state education officials and distributed to all school districts within 60 days of receipt. This bill directly affects public universities receiving the grant and school districts implementing the findings, with no new regulations or funding beyond the study.

Maddy summaryS 2453, the "Welcome Home Veterans Act," requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide veteran benefit information packets to veterans when issuing or renewing a license or ID card that includes a veteran designation. The MVC must provide both hardcopy and digital versions of specific materials, including the state Veterans’ Benefits Guide and the federal VA booklet on available benefits. This applies directly to New Jersey veterans who have a veteran designation on their license or ID card, ensuring they receive standardized information about state and federal benefits at the point of service. The bill mandates these packets be available at all MVC locations and online, with no additional requirements beyond the specified guides and contact information.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 570 requires businesses selling lithium-ion battery electric vehicles to provide prospective buyers with a disclosure statement. The statement must explain that lithium is a scarce resource with environmentally impactful extraction methods and identify the specific source of lithium used in the vehicle's battery. Sellers must obtain a signed receipt from each buyer acknowledging receipt of this disclosure. Violations carry civil penalties of $150 for the first offense and $300 for subsequent violations, enforceable through summary proceedings. This law directly affects all EV dealers in New Jersey and aims to inform consumers about battery sourcing and environmental considerations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires car dealers to pay off any remaining loan balance on a trade-in vehicle within 15 days of taking possession, and to provide proof of payment to the seller upon request. It directly affects dealers and buyers during trade-in transactions, ensuring dealers settle outstanding loans instead of leaving buyers responsible. Violations carry fines up to $2,000 per offense, and the bill amends existing title transfer rules to require faster processing of loan satisfaction documentation. The law aims to clarify dealer obligations in trade-in agreements without changing broader vehicle title procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover medically necessary hearing aids for children under 15 years old. It applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, individual policies, and group health plans. Key provisions include coverage for hearing aids for each ear when prescribed by a doctor or audiologist, a $1,000 annual benefit limit per hearing aid per ear, and allowing patients to pay extra for more expensive devices without penalty to providers. The bill does not extend coverage to adults, despite its title suggesting "all ages."

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to create a program connecting people with disabilities to job training and employment opportunities. It mandates DOLWD to collaborate with qualified nonprofits (with at least five years' experience serving disabled individuals) to develop job training materials and establish an online resource hub. The hub will list training organizations, allow employers to post jobs, and provide information on labor laws and fair employment practices. The program directly affects people with disabilities seeking work, training providers, and employers in New Jersey, with annual reports required to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryS 2037 requires New Jersey public employers - including municipalities, counties, state agencies, and school boards - to add a Roth contribution option to their existing deferred compensation retirement plans. This option allows public employees to make after-tax contributions (with future earnings withdrawn tax-free in retirement), unlike traditional pre-tax retirement plans. The bill mandates this change for all public entities currently offering such retirement plans, ensuring employees have this tax-free savings choice. It does not alter existing plan structures but expands participation options for public workers saving for retirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 518) amends New Jersey's prescription monitoring program to clarify who can access patient prescription data. It updates Section 26 of the existing law to specify that healthcare providers (including pharmacists, medical residents, certified medical assistants, and others) must register to access the system and must delegate access to staff under strict confidentiality rules. The bill does not include provisions allowing patients to indicate preferences about receiving certain prescriptions, as suggested in the title. The actual focus is on defining access protocols for authorized healthcare professionals to review prescription data for patient safety and compliance purposes. The bill was introduced to the Senate Health Committee on January 13, 2026.