Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance companies and other payers in New Jersey from "downcoding" claims - meaning they cannot adjust claims to a lower-cost service code to pay providers less than what is owed for the actual service performed. It directly affects healthcare providers (like doctors and hospitals) who submit claims for services, ensuring they can collect full payment for the care they delivered. The law requires payers to reimburse providers based on the actual service documented, not a downcoded version, and mandates the Department of Banking and Insurance to create implementing regulations. Downcoding typically occurs when insurers dispute a service code, but this bill prevents them from using it to reduce payments unfairly.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new motor vehicle offense called "engaging in a pattern of aggressive driving" for drivers who commit specific dangerous behaviors in a single continuous drive. It directly affects drivers who, within five miles, perform two different aggressive driving acts (like speeding 25+ mph over the limit, tailgating, erratic lane changes, or unsafe passing) or three of the same act. Penalties include license suspension (15-30 days for first offense, 60-90 days or fines up to $3,000 for repeat offenses or those causing injury/death) or mandatory education classes, with prosecutors barred from offering plea deals to lesser charges. The bill also requires the Motor Vehicle Commission to run public awareness campaigns and report annual enforcement data on this offense.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Office of the New Jersey Consumer Insurance Advocate within the Division of Insurance. The advocate, appointed by the Governor with Senate approval for a four-year term, will represent consumers before state government branches on all insurance matters covered by New Jersey law. The position requires a bachelor's degree and five years of experience in property/casualty or life/health insurance. This office directly serves New Jersey consumers by providing dedicated advocacy on insurance issues, including before the Legislature and courts. The advocate will focus on consumer interests across all insurance lines regulated in the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 982) modifies New Jersey's retirement income tax exclusion to help seniors aged 62+ who work part-time. It allows individuals with retirement income to exclude that income from taxable income even if they earned over $3,000 from part-time employment (defined as less than 30 hours/week), which previously disqualified them. The exclusion amount is reduced based on part-time earnings: subtracting (2,000 × minimum wage) and any other claimed exclusion. It specifically excludes those working full-time (30+ hours/week) from this provision. The bill affects New Jersey retirees with modest part-time income who would otherwise lose their retirement tax benefit.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires motor vehicle rental companies in New Jersey to allow customers to return rented vehicles 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It directly affects rental companies operating under state law and their customers who may face travel delays or unforeseen circumstances preventing returns during standard business hours. Key provisions mandate companies to establish a method for after-hours returns, with violations carrying civil penalties of up to $2,500 for a first offense and $5,000 for repeat offenses, enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The law aims to reduce customer inconvenience and added costs from late returns.
Maddy summaryS 1006 allows U.S. military members and their dependents living in New Jersey to qualify for the county resident tuition rate at county colleges in the county where they reside or are stationed. Currently, many military families pay higher non-resident tuition rates because they maintain out-of-county addresses. The bill directly affects military personnel and dependents attending county colleges, changing residency determination for tuition purposes. This ensures they pay the lower resident rate - similar to benefits already provided under state law for public universities - rather than the significantly higher non-resident rate.
Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates New Jersey's Transfer Inheritance Tax for estates of decedents dying on or after July 1, 2021. It repeals all remaining tax provisions (sections R.S.54:33-1 through R.S.54:37-8 and related amendments) that imposed taxes on beneficiaries receiving assets from New Jersey residents or certain New Jersey assets from nonresidents. The tax, which had exempted transfers to spouses, ancestors, and descendants but taxed "lateral" transfers (like to siblings) at up to 16%, is fully removed. This change ends New Jersey’s status as one of only six states with an inheritance tax, affecting all beneficiaries of estates meeting the effective date criteria.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1024 establishes a rebuttable presumption that defendants charged with motor vehicle theft (including theft, receiving stolen vehicles, or unlawful taking) must be detained before trial unless they prove they won’t flee or pose a danger. It increases penalties for motor vehicle theft offenses and allows home detention for minors convicted of such theft. The bill also creates a $7 million pilot program through the Juvenile Justice Commission to prevent underage auto theft, targeting risk factors like peer influence or access to vehicles. These changes directly affect individuals charged with motor vehicle theft and juveniles adjudicated for such offenses in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires life insurance companies in New Jersey to notify policyholders and their designated agents at least 10 days before a policy lapses due to unpaid premiums. It applies to individual life insurance policies issued on or after the law takes effect (90 days after enactment), directly affecting policyholders and their insurance producers. Insurers must send the notice via mail, email, or phone - using contact details on file - regardless of any existing policyholder notices about nonpayment. The requirement is in addition to any other notices already mandated by the insurance policy itself. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Commerce Committee.
Maddy summaryS 979 amends New Jersey's bias intimidation statute (N.J.S.2C:16-1) by removing a provision that required courts to consider a victim's *perception* of the defendant's purpose. The bill replaces this with a standard based on whether a *reasonable person* would believe the offense was intended to intimidate someone due to protected characteristics like race, religion, or sexual orientation. This change directly affects prosecutors and courts in bias intimidation cases, aligning the law with a standard previously upheld in New Jersey's stalking statute. The amendment responds to a 2015 New Jersey Supreme Court ruling that found the previous "victim's perception" language unconstitutional due to vagueness.