Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1276) requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey - covering hospital services, medical expenses, and individual/group policies - to cover prenatal genetic testing during the first trimester of pregnancy. It specifically mandates coverage for three testing methods: carrier screening (cheek swab blood/tissue test), nuchal translucency screening, and chorionic villus sampling. Benefits must be provided at the same level as coverage for other medical conditions under the policy. The law applies to all relevant insurance contracts issued or renewed in New Jersey, including those where insurers reserve the right to adjust premiums.

Maddy summaryS 1199 requires used car dealers in New Jersey to check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website for open recalls before selling a vehicle and to inform buyers about any outstanding recalls, providing printed recall details. Dealers may not sell vehicles subject to "stop sale" or "do not drive" orders from NHTSA. The bill creates a legal presumption that dealers had no knowledge of recalls if NHTSA’s website showed none after a VIN check, shielding them from liability for website errors. Additionally, it limits attorney fees in consumer lawsuits to $1,000 or one-third of awarded damages, capping recovery in cases involving dealer violations of consumer protection laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1205) allows registered voters in New Jersey to request receiving primary and school election sample ballots via email instead of regular mail. It directly affects voters eligible for these elections who choose to opt into electronic delivery. Key provisions require voters to provide their physical address when requesting email delivery, mandate election officials to send a paper copy if email fails, and prohibit public access to voters' email addresses (treating them as confidential, not public records). The Secretary of State must also create procedures to inform voters about this option, maintain email privacy, and allow voters to switch back to paper ballots if desired.

Maddy summaryS 1217 creates dedicated assistance and set-aside programs for businesses owned by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans in New Jersey. The bill establishes certification standards through the Division of Revenue and requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to provide targeted financial and technical assistance to these businesses. It defines "eligible businesses" as those meeting specific ownership and control criteria (e.g., 51% ownership by the qualifying group) and mandates support to help them access capital and expertise. The law aims to address historical barriers faced by these business owners and promote economic growth by increasing their participation in the state economy.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a central registry managed by New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to handle background checks for employees and volunteers at youth-serving organizations (like sports teams, clubs, and nonprofits serving children under 18). Nonprofits must register with the state, pay a fee, and conduct criminal history checks every two years for all staff and volunteers. Checks would flag specific disqualifying crimes, including violence against children, certain drug offenses, and other serious crimes listed in the bill. Organizations could then check the registry to verify if someone is eligible to work with youth.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows people with disabilities to request an exemption from civil service examinations when applying for state jobs in New Jersey. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of disability through a medical professional's letter or certification from specific programs like Social Security Disability Insurance or vocational rehabilitation services. The Civil Service Commission must approve exemptions if the applicant can perform the job duties, and all disability records are kept confidential except for administrative or statistical use. The bill aims to improve access to state employment for qualified individuals with disabilities by removing unnecessary exam barriers.

Maddy summaryS 1280 modifies New Jersey's limited brewery license rules to remove a restriction requiring on-premises beer sales to be "in connection with a tour." The bill directly affects limited breweries holding licenses under R.S.33:1-10, allowing them to sell beer for on-premises consumption without needing to tie sales to tours. Key provisions require these licensees to still offer brewery tours during business hours when operations permit, but eliminate the prior requirement that on-premises sales must be directly tied to the tour. This change simplifies sales options for small breweries while maintaining tour accessibility requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Truth-in-Consumer Contract, Warranty and Notice Act (TCCWNA) to change how consumers can pursue legal action for violations. It requires that class-action lawsuits under the TCCWNA must involve an actual financial harm (not just technical violations), and consumers seeking recovery for losses under $250 must first request reimbursement in writing via certified mail (with a 35-day waiting period) before filing a lawsuit. For counterclaims in other lawsuits, the reimbursement step is satisfied if the consumer states the loss amount ($250 or less) in their filing, and the opposing party can avoid paying attorney fees by placing the disputed amount in escrow. The bill applies specifically to TCCWNA violations and does not affect claims exceeding $250.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 958) proposes to exempt compensation paid to election workers from state income tax. It directly affects individuals employed as election workers in New Jersey, such as poll workers and election officials. The bill would amend existing tax statutes (R.S.43:21-19) to remove election worker pay from taxable income. However, the provided text only includes definitions related to unemployment benefits (not the tax exemption itself), so specific mechanisms or implementation details cannot be confirmed from this context. The bill was introduced in January 2024 and referred to a Senate committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows teaching candidates awaiting certification to secure teaching positions while completing their certification process. It requires the State Board of Education to permit candidates to submit a signed affidavit to school districts, affirming they've met all certification requirements, along with proof of their application to the Department of Education. Candidates must provide written confirmation within 90 days that they've received their certificate, or the school must terminate their teaching role (though they may stay in non-teaching positions). The bill protects candidates who submit affidavits in good faith from having to repay salaries if their certification application later proves incomplete.