Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Resolution 148 condemns a federal agreement that allows the Internal Revenue Service to share private taxpayer data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement for immigration enforcement purposes. The resolution argues that this policy violates federal privacy laws and undermines the voluntary nature of the tax system, particularly affecting immigrant communities in New Jersey who contribute significantly to state and local taxes. It demands that the federal government immediately reverse this information-sharing arrangement and commit to keeping the IRS out of immigration enforcement. Copies of the resolution are directed to be sent to the President, Vice President, relevant federal department secretaries, and members of Congress from New Jersey.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill 5368 requires the Department of Community Affairs to create a statewide database that tracks abandoned properties reported by municipalities and assesses their potential for affordable housing or inclusionary development. The bill also amends existing law to mandate that local public officers in participating towns maintain an official list of these properties, including specific details like tax lot numbers and owner names. It establishes strict procedures for notifying property owners and mortgage holders through mail, newspaper publication, and posting on the site, while granting owners a limited window to appeal their inclusion on the list. If an appeal is denied or not filed, the municipality gains the right to pursue legal remedies regarding the abandoned property.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill 5370 creates a grant program within the Department of Education to help school districts repair, upgrade, or replace heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency. The bill appropriates $500 million from the state's General Fund to support these projects, which are open to districts that do not use the Schools Development Authority for their construction needs. Grant recipients must cover at least 25 percent of project costs locally, while the state share is calculated based on the district's aid percentage or 40 percent, whichever is higher. The program specifically prioritizes funding for schools in underserved communities where at least half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school boards of education to include instruction on the historical and cultural significance of Juneteenth Independence Day within their social studies curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school students. The mandated lessons must cover specific topics, including the events of June 19, 1865, the historical context of the day, and why news of emancipation reached Texas with a delay. To support this requirement, the Commissioner of Education is tasked with providing districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources. The law takes effect immediately but first applies to the first full school year following its enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill 5364 authorizes licensed adult day health facilities to provide services remotely to enrolled individuals who cannot or choose not to attend in person. The bill requires that all in-person services capable of being delivered safely via telehealth be made available remotely, including daily wellness checks, access to nursing and social work professionals, and the delivery of meals and activity materials at no extra cost. Facilities are permitted to bill for these remote interactions at the same rate as in-person care, provided they maintain written documentation and include the services in the patient's care plan. Additionally, the legislation directs state health and human services commissioners to adopt necessary regulations and seek federal Medicaid funding to support this ongoing provision of remote care.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill 5365 requires state agencies to remove handwritten signatures from documents before posting them on their official websites. The bill also mandates that agencies archive previously published documents containing visible signatures and allows these files to be republished only after the signatures are redacted. This legislation applies to all executive branch departments, boards, commissions, and related offices within the state government. While the online versions must have signatures removed, the public retains the right to access the original archived documents through the state's open public records act.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A5361 mandates the state Governor to declare a child welfare emergency in response to the detention of children in federal immigration facilities. The bill requires the Department of Children and Families to develop a comprehensive response plan within 60 days that directs caseworkers to conduct unannounced visits and inspections of these facilities to assess child safety. Key provisions include automatic appointment of legal guardians for detained children, rapid investigation timelines for abuse allegations, and protocols for removing children who have suffered serious injuries. The department must also coordinate with various state agencies and community organizations to provide collaborative support, while publishing the response plan on its website and updating it annually.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill 5362 prohibits companies from selling the personal data of individuals under 18 who are known to be minors. The bill also requires these companies to provide a way for minors or their parents to request the deletion of that personal data. These rules apply to any business that controls or processes such information and take effect six months after the law is enacted.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill 5366 authorizes the state Motor Vehicle Commission to issue special license plates that support the American Red Cross, affecting any driver who owns or leases a vehicle registered in the state. To obtain these plates, drivers must pay a one-time $50 application fee and an additional $10 annual renewal fee on top of standard registration costs. The collected money is deposited into a dedicated treasury fund, with administrative expenses deducted first, and the remaining balance is annually appropriated to the Red Cross for disaster relief and human services. The bill also includes a cost-control provision that allows the commission to discontinue the program if the average production cost per plate exceeds the $50 application fee for two consecutive years.