Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1254 requires most health insurance plans (including hospital, medical service, health service, individual, and group policies) to cover medically necessary hearing aids for individuals under age 15. The bill mandates coverage for hearing aids for each ear when prescribed by a physician or audiologist, with a $1,000 annual limit per ear every 24 months. Patients may pay the difference for hearing aids exceeding the benefit amount without penalties to providers. This applies to policies where insurers reserve the right to adjust premiums, directly affecting children under 15 enrolled in covered insurance plans. The bill does not extend coverage to adults or alter existing benefits for other medical conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires telecommunications companies and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers in New Jersey to automatically provide prorated refunds to customers for service outages lasting more than 24 hours. Companies must adjust bills or issue refunds without requiring customers to take any action. The law applies to both traditional phone services and internet-based telephone services covered under existing regulations. It directly affects telecom providers by mandating automatic financial compensation for prolonged service interruptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public employers in New Jersey - including municipalities, counties, school boards, and state agencies - to add a Roth contribution option to existing deferred compensation retirement plans. It mandates that employees can make after-tax contributions (which grow tax-free and can be withdrawn tax-free in retirement) through salary deductions, similar to federal rules. Currently, public employers aren’t required to offer this option, though they may choose to do so. The change applies to all public retirement plans established under state law, with implementation required 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires associations managing age-restricted communities (defined as developments complying with federal "housing for older persons" rules) to collect and maintain emergency contact information for all residents. Associations must provide residents with opportunities to submit and update contact details for next-of-kin or preferred contacts, which will be used to notify them within 24 hours of a resident's hospitalization or death. Failure to provide this notification within the timeframe results in a $500 civil penalty per violation. The law applies specifically to communities meeting federal housing standards for older adults, not all residential communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a nursing scholarship program administered by New Jersey's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to address nurse shortages. It provides 100 scholarships of $10,000 each to healthcare workers who are NJ residents, currently or previously employed in healthcare, and enrolled in approved nursing programs. To qualify, applicants must commit to working as nurses after completing their education. The program is funded by a $1 million appropriation from the state General Fund.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1468) prohibits public school districts from holding classes on election days when their schools serve as polling places. It directly affects school districts using public schools as voting locations, requiring them to cancel classes that day. Instead, districts may use the time for staff in-service training or professional development. The law aims to enhance student safety by reducing public access to school grounds during elections, as stated in the bill's purpose. It takes immediate effect and applies to all subsequent elections, including the November 2021 general election as referenced in the text.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the tax rate for cider and low-alcohol beverages to align with beer's rate. Currently, cider (3.2%-7% alcohol) is taxed at $0.15/gallon, while beer is taxed at $0.12/gallon; the bill lowers cider's rate to $0.12/gallon. It also changes the tax for low-ABV liquors (under 9.9% alcohol) from $5.50/gallon (the liquor rate) to $0.12/gallon. These changes directly affect cider producers and manufacturers of low-alcohol drinks like certain canned cocktails. The policy shift simplifies tax classification for these products by matching the lower beer tax rate.

Maddy summaryS 1244, "The Smarter Lunchroom Act," requires New Jersey public school districts and nonpublic schools to implement evidence-based strategies from The Smarter Lunchroom Movement to improve student nutrition in cafeterias. Key provisions include placing healthy foods (like fruit) near cash registers, using creative names for vegetables, positioning white milk at the front of drink coolers, and featuring nutrient-dense meals first in serving lines. The bill mandates the Commissioner of Education provide user-friendly online resources, including a self-assessment tool and links to the movement’s website. This aims to address New Jersey’s 24.7% childhood overweight/obesity rate by leveraging simple, low-cost cafeteria changes affecting over 1.37 million students relying on school meals.

Maddy summaryS 1265 establishes the Gold Star Family Scholarship Program, providing financial aid to spouses, parents, children, siblings, or legal guardians of New Jersey military personnel who died while on active duty. The program, administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), offers scholarships covering undergraduate costs at eligible institutions, capped at the average tuition of four-year public colleges. Funding comes from a $2 annual surcharge on personalized license plates, optional taxpayer contributions via state income tax returns, and an initial $100,000 appropriation from the General Fund. The bill creates a permanent scholarship fund and sets eligibility criteria for beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2075 requires employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to display a government-created poster in the workplace. The poster must include specific, accessible information about veterans' benefits and services, such as mental health resources, educational programs, tax benefits, veteran ID cards, unemployment eligibility, legal services, and the Veterans Crisis Line. The Department of Labor will collaborate with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to develop this poster. Employers must display it prominently, and the law takes effect 90 days after enactment.