Sen. Carmen Amato

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study the feasibility of developing advanced nuclear reactors across the state. The BPU must complete an 18-month study with input from environmental and economic agencies, covering suitable locations, regulatory requirements, economic viability, safety, environmental impacts, and public input through at least three stakeholder sessions. The study will assess how advanced reactors could integrate with existing energy infrastructure and provide recommendations for a potential statewide deployment program. The bill does not fund or authorize reactor development, only directing a feasibility assessment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an independent Office of the Veteran Advocate within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), to serve as a dedicated advocate for veterans receiving services from the department. The Veteran Advocate, appointed by the Governor with Senate consent, will investigate complaints about veterans' services, monitor facilities for abuse or neglect, conduct site visits (with proper authorization), and issue subpoenas for investigations. The Advocate will serve as an ombudsman for veterans and their families, make recommendations for improving services, and monitor implementation of corrective actions when systemic issues are identified. The office will submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, and the bill appropriates funds from the General Fund to support these operations. This new office directly affects veterans receiving services under the DMVA's supervision and ensures their concerns are addressed through a dedicated, independent oversight mechanism.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3022 requires funeral directors to notify the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) when they have unclaimed veteran cremains after one year of diligent efforts to find relatives. The bill mandates that DMVA create and maintain a central online registry of these unclaimed cremains to help qualified veterans' organizations locate them. Qualified veterans' organizations, defined as 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax-exempt groups, can then take possession of the cremains and dispose of them through proper means like scattering at sea or interment in a veterans' cemetery. This addresses the issue of veteran cremains being unclaimed for years, sometimes decades, while reducing the burden on funeral directors who previously had to store them indefinitely.

Maddy summaryS 3609 allows licensed nonprofit organizations (like charities, churches, and veterans' groups) in New Jersey to conduct raffles remotely via the internet and advertise them statewide. It removes all limits on prize values, permits remote raffles on Sundays (currently prohibited), and requires organizations to submit quarterly reports to the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission detailing raffle income, expenses, and prize distributions. The bill amends existing raffle laws to modernize remote participation rules and reporting requirements, effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2511 prohibits pet shops from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, repealing the previous "Pet Purchase Protection Act." Pet shops may still sell other animals, pet supplies, or collaborate with shelters to showcase adoptable animals without exchanging payment. Violating this prohibition would result in a $500 fine per violation. The bill also prohibits shelters, rescues, and pet shops from obtaining animals from breeders or brokers in exchange for payment, and defines "unfit for purchase" for animals sold by breeders or brokers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey State Police to create a maternity leave policy for troopers who provide proof of pregnancy. It mandates at least eight weeks of continuous paid leave after childbirth, with full pay and benefits that do not count against sick leave balances. The policy also prohibits residency restrictions or integrity checks during this leave period. The Superintendent must post clear details about the policy - including required forms, FAQs, and contact information - on the State Police intranet. The policy applies directly to pregnant State Police troopers and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance carriers and pharmacy benefits managers in New Jersey to apply third-party discounts and payments toward an individual's cost-sharing amounts, including copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs for covered health benefits. It prohibits insurers from using "accumulators" that would prevent these discounts from reducing an individual's cost-sharing responsibility. The bill mandates that carriers must give credit for any cost-sharing amount paid by the enrollee or on their behalf by another party when calculating out-of-pocket costs. It also requires annual certification to the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to verify compliance with these requirements. The bill takes effect January 1, 2025, and applies to all health benefits plans offered or issued by carriers in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to set aside a 14-day initial sales period each year for mobile sport fishing permits - covering all permit types like annual, 3-day, weekday, or daily permits - during which only New Jersey residents may purchase them. It directly affects individuals seeking to buy these permits for beach-based fishing in New Jersey, limiting initial access to residents during this window. The key mechanism is mandating the DEP to implement this resident-only period before general sales open to all buyers. The bill does not change permit fees or fishing rules, only the timing and eligibility for initial purchases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care professionals in New Jersey - such as doctors, nurses, and specialists who diagnose or treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - to confidentially report all known ALS cases to the state Department of Health. Reports must protect patient and provider privacy, with data shared only in de-identified form for research purposes, including with the National ALS Registry. Within 12 months of the bill’s effective date, the Department must create and post online educational materials about joining the National ALS Registry, including eligibility and contact details. The law aligns with federal privacy rules and prohibits disclosing any personal identifying information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires social media companies with at least five million global users to create a 24-hour toll-free phone number for New Jersey residents to report account fraud, such as unauthorized access. It directly affects New Jersey account holders (residents with social media accounts) and major social media platforms operating in the state. Companies must publish this number in security emails sent to NJ users and prominently on their platform’s homepage or help page. Non-compliance is considered a violation of New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act, subject to fines and enforcement actions. The goal is to provide a direct, accessible way for residents to report account security issues.