Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryS 1272 allows limited breweries in New Jersey to sell products from small wineries (under 250,000 gallons annually), cideries, meaderies, and craft distilleries on their licensed premises. This amendment to the state's alcohol licensing law (R.S.33:1-10) expands what limited breweries can offer to customers directly. The change specifically permits these on-premises sales for products made by other small producers within defined size limits. It applies only to licensed retail locations operated by limited breweries, not to wholesale distribution.

Maddy summaryS 1274 would require New Jersey to redact home addresses of elected officials (like state legislators and mayors) and candidates running for office from public records. It amends the state's Open Public Records Act to explicitly add home addresses to the list of confidential information that must be withheld. This change means home addresses would automatically be removed from responses to public records requests. The bill directly affects all current and prospective state and local elected officials seeking public office.

Maddy summarySJR 41 is a symbolic joint resolution condemning all hate-based violence and bias crimes in New Jersey. It formally declares the state's rejection of discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and other protected characteristics. The resolution urges the Governor and Attorney General to continue existing efforts - including victim support, reporting improvements, and security measures - but does not create new laws or funding. As a procedural resolution, it expresses legislative stance without altering policy or imposing obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to include disability-owned businesses in business development programs, direct loan programs, and certification processes. It establishes an Office of Disability-Owned Business Development to administer certification standards and promote participation in state contracts. The Chief Diversity Officer must compile annual reports tracking state contract awards to disability-owned businesses, ensuring transparency in program implementation. The law applies directly to disability-owned businesses seeking state contracts and state agencies managing these programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to establish a "School Meal Fund" to help students with unpaid school meal bills (arrears) and cover current meal costs. School districts must accept monetary donations from individuals or organizations, place them in a separate account, and use the funds solely to assist students with meal payments or past-due bills. Districts must create a policy ensuring equitable distribution of funds, maintain proper financial records, and inform parents and the community about the fund - except in districts already providing free meals to all students under the Community Eligibility Provision. The fund must be audited annually and carry forward any unused balance to the next fiscal year.

Maddy summaryS 888 ensures that children in New Jersey's NJ FamilyCare program transitioning from the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program to the Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program automatically retain their previous weekly private duty nursing hours and can carry over unused hours. It requires managed care organizations to maintain private duty nursing coverage during appeals for reductions, extending the appeal window from 10 to 30 days and continuing benefits until 30 days after an appeal concludes. The bill also directs the state to review past transitions (within five years) to identify children who may qualify for increased private duty nursing hours. These provisions aim to prevent disruptions in critical nursing care during program changes for pediatric beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryS 1983 would eliminate the requirement for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey to practice under physician collaboration or supervision, allowing them to provide care independently. This directly affects APNs - over 75% of whom specialize in primary care - and aims to improve healthcare access in underserved communities, including areas with physician shortages and among racial/ethnic minorities, low-income populations, and those facing transportation barriers. The bill cites that 24 states and the District of Columbia already permit full practice authority for APNs, and during pandemic waivers (Executive Order 112), no adverse incidents occurred while APNs practiced without restrictions. It states removing these barriers could reduce healthcare access disparities by over 38 percent, aligning New Jersey with other states to address chronic shortages in primary care services.

Maddy summaryS 1283 establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Addiction Services within New Jersey's Department of the Treasury. The office directly serves individuals with mental illness and addiction by helping them find treatment options, ensuring proper care in facilities, providing counseling and job assistance, and offering public education. The Governor appoints an ombudsman with specific qualifications to carry out these duties, maintain confidentiality, and annually report to the Human Services Commissioner, Governor, and Legislature. This bill creates a dedicated advocate to improve access to and quality of mental health and addiction services across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school bus safety laws to authorize using school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It changes penalties for drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses: violations captured by these systems will result in only a $250 civil penalty (instead of potential fines or jail time), with funds directed to municipalities and school districts for safety programs. The law applies to buses transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities when stopped to load/unload. It does not create new monitoring systems but specifies how existing systems can be used to enforce stop laws through civil penalties.