Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill sets a 150% cap on hospital charges for laboratory services, limiting what hospitals can bill patients to 150% of the federal Medicare payment rate for those services. It applies to patients who do not qualify for the existing 115% cap under P.L.2008, c.60 (which covers uninsured patients with family income under 500% of the federal poverty level). Hospitals must adhere to this 150% limit for all laboratory services provided to qualifying patients, excluding those already covered by the lower 115% threshold. The policy change specifically targets lab service billing and does not affect other hospital charges or services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1940) required manufacturers of menstrual products sold in New Jersey to list all non-confidential ingredients on product packaging and their websites, with ingredients ordered by quantity. It applied to all menstrual products - like tampons, pads, cups, and underwear - packaged for individual retail sale, giving manufacturers 18 months to comply after the law took effect. Manufacturers could exclude confidential business information but had to list it by common name. Non-compliant products faced civil penalties of up to $1,000 per package, based on 1% of annual in-state sales. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.232 and enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated immigration unit within New Jersey's Office of Public Defender (OPD) to provide legal representation and assistance on immigration matters. It directly affects noncitizens involved in the criminal justice system, those committed to psychiatric institutions, and noncitizen youth in juvenile delinquency cases. The unit will help these individuals navigate immigration consequences tied to their court proceedings, addressing a current gap where only two immigration attorneys serve approximately 600 noncitizen criminal defendants. The unit aims to ensure compliance with federal requirements (like *Padilla v. Kentucky*) and provide specialized support, especially for noncitizen youth facing unique challenges.

Maddy summaryAJR 66 is a ceremonial resolution designating May 6th of each year as "Nurse's Day" in New Jersey. It directly honors nurses - over 141,000 registered nurses and thousands of nurse practitioners/licensed practical nurses in the state - by recognizing their contributions to public health. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day, but it creates no new laws, funding, or obligations. This is purely symbolic, celebrating nurses' roles in patient care without altering healthcare policy or practice.

Maddy summaryAR 62 is a New Jersey Assembly Resolution (not a bill) urging the U.S. President and Congress to enact legislation granting amnesty and creating a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. It specifically references the need for 11 million undocumented immigrants to gain legal status, citing economic benefits and historical precedent from the 1986 Immigration Reform Act. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests federal action, emphasizing that current policies prevent immigrants from fully participating economically and socially. It was introduced in the Assembly on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2066) establishes the "New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program" to provide competitive grants to public school districts, renaissance schools, and charter schools. The program funds three specific STEM education approaches: project-based learning, after-school STEM activities, and out-of-school STEM experiences. Schools applying must detail how funds will enhance existing programs or create new ones, recruit students, support educators, and ensure long-term sustainability. Grants must supplement, not replace, existing STEM funding and are subject to annual state appropriations. The program runs for four years, with funding sourced from state appropriations and private donations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes a central registry for newborns diagnosed with sickle cell trait (carrying one sickle cell gene, not the full disease) and requires health officials to notify parents about genetic counseling. It mandates that doctors inform parents about the risk of passing the trait to future children and the need for follow-up care. Parents will receive targeted notifications during early adolescence (regarding sports safety risks) and later adolescence (regarding reproductive planning), with similar outreach for patients turning 18. All registry information remains confidential, with penalties for unauthorized disclosure, including fines or imprisonment.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an exemption in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Currently, these venues could permit smoking in areas used for gambling (like slot machine rooms or table games), but the bill would eliminate that exception. After passage, all indoor areas of casinos and simulcasting facilities open to the public for gambling would be required to be smoke-free. This change aligns these venues with the state's general indoor smoking ban, which applies to most public workplaces and spaces.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to study how law enforcement agencies use artificial intelligence (AI) to generate police reports and issue a report to the Governor and Legislature within six months. The report must assess available AI technology, summarize current statewide usage by police departments, and recommend a statewide policy for AI use in reports. The policy must include a requirement for officers to review all AI-generated report content for accuracy and completeness before issuing it. The bill does not mandate AI use but sets a framework for evaluating its safety and effectiveness in law enforcement documentation.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 26) urges Congress to remove marijuana from Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act. It directly affects medical marijuana patients and businesses in New Jersey (and 37 other states) who face barriers due to federal classification, including lack of insurance coverage, banking restrictions, and high costs ($350-$500 monthly for patients). The resolution highlights that marijuana's Schedule I status conflicts with its accepted medical use in many states and scientific evidence of health benefits. It seeks to protect public safety by ending federal restrictions that force dispensaries to handle large cash amounts, increasing crime risks. The bill does not change current law but calls for congressional action to align federal policy with state legalization.