Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryBill A4163 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of diseases when supported by medical evidence such as FDA approvals, drug labels, or clinical guidelines. The bill applies to all health insurance plans including individual, group, Medicaid, and health maintenance organization contracts. Insurers must provide coverage without causing unnecessary disruption (like multiple biopsies) and must make prior authorization decisions within 24 hours for urgent requests or 72 hours for non-urgent requests. This ensures patients can access precision medical testing that's clinically supported without excessive administrative barriers.

Maddy summaryS 3098 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of medical conditions when supported by medical evidence. The bill defines biomarker testing as analysis of tissue, blood, or other biospecimens for biomarkers, and specifies coverage must be provided when tests align with FDA approvals, drug indications, CMS determinations, or nationally-recognized clinical guidelines. Insurers must process prior authorization requests within 72 hours for non-urgent cases and 24 hours for urgent cases, while minimizing disruptions like multiple biopsies. This requirement applies to all health insurance plans, including Medicaid, which must provide coverage with no cost-sharing for beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of "child" under New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) and State Police Retirement System (SPRS) to include children of any age who are disabled due to intellectual disability or physical incapacity. Specifically, it adds a new provision (d) requiring the disability to prevent substantial gainful work for at least 12 months, as certified by a medical board. This change directly affects surviving family members of retired or deceased police and firefighter members who qualify as disabled children under the new criteria. The policy shift ensures these disabled children may now receive survivor benefits previously only available to younger or education-focused dependents.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program to include disabled residents who receive disability payments under the federal Railroad Retirement Act (45 U.S.C. § 231 et seq.). Currently, only disabled individuals receiving payments under the federal Social Security Act (Title II) qualify for this reimbursement. The bill expands eligibility by adding Railroad Retirement disability payments as a qualifying source, without altering existing income thresholds or residency requirements. This change would allow more disabled New Jersey residents to claim property tax reimbursement on their primary residence if they meet all other program criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state-funded transportation projects (like roads or bridges) to use geotechnical engineers to determine necessary soil, groundwater, and structural monitoring. It mandates groundwater testing before construction begins and ongoing monitoring if site conditions require it (capped at three years), plus deformation monitoring during and after construction if needed. The Department of Transportation must follow all internal standards for subsurface data and cannot waive these requirements without approval. This directly affects state agencies and contractors managing transportation projects funded by New Jersey resources, including the Transportation Trust Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's civil service hiring preferences for veterans who qualify under federal standards but not state rules. It would add 5 points to exam scores for veterans meeting federal veteran criteria (e.g., service in specific conflicts like Gulf War or Global War on Terrorism), and 10 points for disabled veterans with federal service-connected disabilities or benefits. To qualify, applicants must have an honorable discharge (excluding National Guard training) and meet federal service period requirements. The changes would apply to civil service exams taken after July 1 following enactment, pending a constitutional amendment for disabled veterans not serving in wartime.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey statutes to explicitly include Jewish persons within the definitions of "minority," "minority group member," and "minority business" in laws governing public contracting and business development programs. Currently, these definitions include Black, Hispanic, Asian-American, American Indian, and Alaskan Native individuals, but not Jewish persons. The change would allow Jewish-owned businesses to qualify as minority business enterprises under state programs that provide set-aside contracts and other support. This would affect businesses seeking certification and participating in state procurement programs that prioritize minority-owned businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-year pilot program to provide pet food assistance for cat and dog owners facing financial hardship. The New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) must partner with selected non-profits and volunteer groups to operate food banks for pets, using a $1 million state appropriation. The program includes liability protections for good-faith donors and distributors of pet food, and requires the DOH to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within one year with recommendations on making the program permanent or ending it. The initiative directly affects pet owners in financial need and the non-profits managing the food distribution.

Maddy summaryS 843 requires New Jersey's Adjutant General (within the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs) to create a program helping veterans access evaluation and treatment for service-connected PTSD, total brain injury, or traumatic brain injury. The program must coordinate support services like transportation, assistance filing disability claims, updating discharge status, and connecting veterans to healthcare resources at local, state, and federal levels. It directly affects New Jersey veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces or Reserve components, including the National Guard. The bill amends state law to mandate this program, which will be developed in coordination with relevant state agencies.

Maddy summaryS 1242 amends New Jersey law to make the $500 to $1,000 fine and mandatory participation in a compulsive gambling program optional for courts when a person under 21 gambles in a casino. Currently, offenders face a mandatory fine for this violation, which is a disorderly persons offense. Under this bill, courts can choose not to impose the fine and may opt not to require participation in a state-approved program, such as those offered by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. The bill does not change the offense status but provides judicial flexibility in sentencing.