Sen. Troy Singleton

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 84 urges New Jersey's licensing boards for medical, dental, nursing, and pharmacy professionals to require continuing education on opioid pain medication. The resolution specifically asks these boards to mandate training for doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and other providers who prescribe or interact with patients on opioids. This training would cover responsible prescribing practices, non-opioid pain management alternatives, and recognizing signs of opioid misuse or addiction. If implemented, these requirements would apply to license renewals for the next four years (two biennial periods). As a resolution, it is a non-binding recommendation to the boards, not a new law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2309) allows municipalities to authorize their municipal clerks, via local ordinance, to submit written statements supporting affordable housing projects or stating a municipality's need for such projects. It directly affects municipalities seeking state funding through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA), replacing the prior requirement for the full governing body to provide these statements. The key mechanism is delegation: clerks can now act on behalf of the governing body to meet statutory requirements in two existing laws (P.L.1985, c.222 §20 and P.L.1983, c.530 §6), provided projects align with approved municipal housing plans. This streamlines administrative processes for affordable housing developers without altering funding criteria or housing requirements.

Maddy summaryS 1415 creates a pilot program requiring New Jersey's Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) to establish an Affordable Housing Insurance Fund. It directly affects for-profit affordable housing entities that receive federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, providing financial assistance for insurance premiums on eligible housing projects (like new developments using tax credits or existing properties facing 50%+ premium increases). The bill appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to cover up to $250 per unit annually or $1 million per project, with the program running for up to 20 years. The fund will use interest earnings from investments and fees collected, and HMFA must report on the pilot's success after completion.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include data on post-graduation student placements - specifically noting apprenticeships - in annual school performance report cards. It directly affects all public school districts and their reporting to the state. The key mechanism adds a new requirement (item 16) to existing report card content, mandating that districts track and report the number and percentage of graduates placed in apprenticeships alongside other outcomes like college enrollment or employment. The Commissioner of Education will establish the methodology for collecting this data.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives tuition for the classroom portion of state-recognized apprenticeship programs at New Jersey public colleges and vocational schools for students with household income below the state median. To qualify, students must not have employer-covered tuition, exhaust federal financial aid options, and maintain active apprenticeship employment with satisfactory academic progress. The state will reimburse institutions for waived tuition costs, effective immediately for the next academic year. It directly affects low-income apprentices in eligible vocational training programs across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets minimum payment rates for ambulance services under New Jersey's Medicaid program. It requires $300 per emergency ambulance transport and $8.94 per loaded mile for ground ambulance services, with annual adjustments tied to Medicare rates. These changes directly affect ambulance providers serving Medicaid beneficiaries. The rates take effect July 1, 2024, and require state rule updates for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Second Chance Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to help formerly incarcerated individuals find stable employment. The program will partner with labor organizations to identify and create job opportunities in local trades, focusing on individuals returning to the workforce after prison. It aims to reduce recidivism by connecting people with career pathways through established labor networks. The program will be managed by the State Employment and Training Commission and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Cannabis Regulatory Commission to monitor prices for medical cannabis products sold by cultivators, manufacturers, dispensaries, and clinical registrants. If the Commission determines that an entity's prices are unreasonable compared to their actual costs, it can implement a six-month price cap on that business. The Commission may adjust the price cap during the six-month period and apply multiple price caps as needed, with each cap lasting no longer than six months. This applies to all medical cannabis businesses operating under New Jersey's medical cannabis program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance carriers (like companies offering health plans) to pass savings from negotiated drug prices directly to consumers. Specifically, it mandates that any compensation paid by drug manufacturers to pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) for reduced drug prices must be passed to the carrier, which then must use these funds to either lower policyholders' premiums or reduce their out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy. Carriers must also annually report to the state commissioner on how they implemented this requirement. The bill was introduced in January 2024 but was withdrawn from consideration on February 27, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that construction workers on residential projects of four stories or less in specific redevelopment areas receive the local prevailing wage rate. It applies to projects under three tax exemption programs: the Long Term Tax Exemption Law, Five-Year Exemption and Abatement Law, and Local Redevelopment and Housing Law. The prevailing wage rate - determined by the Labor Commissioner based on local collective bargaining agreements - is now mandatory for these projects, even when developed by private entities under tax abatement agreements with public bodies. This extends existing New Jersey prevailing wage protections to cover smaller residential construction in designated redevelopment zones.