General Assembly Advances ‘Patient and Provider Protection Act’

Assemblyman Roy Freiman’s ongoing efforts to address rising prescription costs took a big step forward today with the Assembly passage of the “Patient and Provider Protection Act” (A1502). The legislation aims to bring transparency and accountability to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the middlemen who often drive up costs for patients and families. The “Patient and Provider Protection Act” would regulate PBMs and help make prescription drugs more affordable for New Jersey families.

“This bill is about putting patients first and making prescription drugs more affordable for New Jersey families,” said Assemblyman Freiman (D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset). “PBMs need to be held accountable by providing a fair process for independent pharmacies to access medication and ensuring patients don’t have to jump through hoops to find the most affordable option for their prescriptions. This legislation would ensure that no New Jerseyan’s access to medication is hindered by contracts that place profits ahead of people.”

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Swain Bill to Promote Community Supported Agriculture Passes Assembly

Community supported agriculture (CSA) programs would get increased visibility under legislation passed by the General Assembly today.

Bill A3108, sponsored by Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, would require the Department of Agriculture to develop and implement a statewide publicity and marketing program to increase awareness of CSA programs.

CSAs allow consumers to purchase seasonal subscriptions directly from local farms in exchange for regular shares of fresh produce and other agricultural products.

The bill would require the department to create and maintain a dedicated CSA webpage, promote participating farms and programs statewide, develop promotional labels for farmers, and establish an annual “Community Supported Agriculture Week” during the last full week of February. It would also expand opportunities for schools to participate in CSA programs through the State’s existing Farm to School Program.

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Bill Regulating Deceptive AI-Generated Real Estate Ads Clears Housing Committee

With artificial intelligence (AI) making it increasingly easy to manipulate photos and videos, the Assembly Housing Committee advanced legislation yesterday that would regulate the deceptive use of AI and heavily altered images in certain property listings. Assemblywomen Carmen Morales and Mitchelle Drulis and Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz sponsored Bill A4728.

“Searching for a place to live is already stressful enough without people having to wonder if the listing they are looking at is even real,” said Assemblywoman Morales (D-Essex). “When people can hide serious problems and exaggerate conditions, we have a serious problem. We must do everything we can to protect our residents during one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.”

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Bill Would Safeguard Access to Reproductive Health Care in New Jersey

Recognizing that health care decisions are best left between patients and their doctors, the Assembly Health Committee today advanced legislation that would strengthen protections for both patients seeking reproductive health care services in New Jersey and their providers.

Bill A2218 would ensure that patients have the freedom to make medical decisions with their reproductive health care providers, without interference from other individuals or entities. Assemblywomen Shanique Speight, Ellen Park, Annette Quijano, and Luanne Peterpaul sponsored the legislation.

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Simmons Bill to Ensure Dialysis Patients Can Have a Support Person Present Advances in Assembly

Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Heather Simmons that would ensure dialysis patients can have a designated support person present during treatment cleared the Assembly Health Committee on Monday.For thousands of New Jersey residents living with end-stage kidney disease, dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment that often requires hours-long sessions several times each week. These treatments can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining, leaving many patients in need of additional support.“Dialysis is not just a medical procedure; it is a demanding and deeply personal experience,” said Assemblywoman Simmons (D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland). “This bill was inspired by a nonverbal patient who was unable to have a support person present during treatment, despite relying on that person for comfort, communication, and advocacy. A3434 helps ensure patients can have a trusted support person by their side during dialysis when they need it most.”During testimony at yesterday’s hearing, Assemblywoman Simmons introduced Patty Bomba of Carneys Point, who shared her family’s experience advocating for her 29-year-old granddaughter living with multiple disabilities and end-stage renal disease. Bomba testified that when her granddaughter began dialysis treatment, her request to accompany her as a support person was denied. As a result, serious issues arose during treatment that she believes could have been avoided had she been allowed to be present.The legislation, known as the “New Jersey Dialysis Patient Support Person Accommodation Act,” would require dialysis centers across New Jersey to reasonably accommodate patients requesting that a support person accompany them during dialysis treatment. The bill would also require facilities to establish written policies regarding support person access, provide staff training, and comply with oversight from the Department of Health.Under the bill, dialysis centers may still establish reasonable health, safety, and infection control measures, provided those policies do not unnecessarily restrict access to a support person. Facilities that fail to comply would be subject to penalties, fines, or corrective action orders from the Department of Health.

Lawmakers Advance Bill Requiring AI Transparency in Election Information

Legislation would require clear disclosure when generative AI is used to provide election-related information to voters

(TRENTON) — In response to growing concerns over the role artificial intelligence (AI) may play in spreading misinformation during elections, the Assembly State and Local Government Committee today advanced bill A4729, which would require a disclosure when generative AI is used to operate chatbots providing election-related information to voters. Sponsored by Assembly members Robert Karabinchack, Ellen Park, and Avi Schnall, the legislation seeks to increase transparency for voters and help voters better identify when information is being produced by AI rather than a human.

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Bill Aims to Improve Sepsis Patient Outcomes in Hospitals

Recognizing that early intervention is critical when treating sepsis, the Assembly Health Committee today advanced Bill A1950, following heartbreaking testimony from individuals who shared stories of their own personal experiences with the condition. Known as the Stop Sepsis Act, the legislation would require general and special hospitals licensed in the State to establish protocols for the recognition and treatment of patients with sepsis. The bill, sponsored by Assemblywomen Annette Quijano and Carol Murphy, would also direct hospitals to train staff and establish quality measures.

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Van Drew Introduces Bill to Suspend Federal Gas Tax

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew announced he is introducing legislation to suspend the federal gas tax for 18 months to lower costs for American families. The bill would eliminate the current federal fuel taxes, including 18.3 cents per gallon on gasoline, 24.3 cents per gallon on diesel fuel and kerosene, and 19.3 cents per gallon on aviation gasoline. After 18 months, the taxes would gradually phase back in slowly instead of returning all at once.

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Assembly Committee Advances Mental Health Crisis Response Legislation for New Jersey Youth

As youth mental health challenges continue to rise across New Jersey and the nation, two bills to strengthen suicide prevention efforts and improve crisis response were advanced by the Assembly Children, Families, and Food Security Committee today.

“Too many children today are quietly struggling, and we have a responsibility as both Legislators, and as parents to make sure our systems are equipped to recognize those warning signs and respond,” said Assemblywoman Andrea Katz (D-Atlantic, Burlington). “Behind every parent’s worst nightmare is a child who felt alone and a family left wondering whether more could have been done, or whether one moment of intervention might have changed what can no longer be changed.”

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Trump to Deliver Coast Guard Academy Commencement Address

The President of the United States Donald J. Trump will deliver the keynote address during graduation ceremonies at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on Wednesday, May 20. The President will congratulate the cadets, the newest generation of military leaders for the Coast Guard, on their hard work and dedication.

The 145th Commencement Exercises are scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. on Cadet Memorial Field. This event is not open to the public. Inclement weather plans call for the ceremony to be held in Leamy Hall Auditorium, where seating will be limited.