Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric utilities to list the amount of state sales tax separately on customer bills, distinct from other charges like energy costs or fees. It directly affects all residential and commercial electricity customers in New Jersey who receive utility bills. The key provision mandates that utilities must itemize the specific tax amount attributable to each customer’s bill, as specified under the state’s Sales and Use Tax Act. The bill does not change tax rates or create new fees, only clarifying how existing tax amounts must be displayed. This transparency measure aims to help customers clearly see how much of their bill is tax versus service charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a nine-member commission to study how a 2017 Medicaid reimbursement rate increase for personal care services affected nursing homes in New Jersey. The commission will analyze impacts on nursing home operations, staffing compliance, financial health, resident costs, and closures since the 2017 law (amended in 2019), while also reviewing state funding sources for the rate change. It requires the commission to gather data from nursing homes and submit a report to the governor and legislature within 12 months. The study focuses solely on evaluating past policy effects, not proposing new laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $3 million from the General Fund to provide one-time bonus awards to members of Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who worked as frontline state employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by state agencies to eligible union members who provided essential emergency workplace service. The bonus amount is determined per agency through consultation between the Division of Budget and Accounting and the union president. This supplemental appropriation directly affects approximately 3,000 Local 195 members across state departments, as specified in the bill text. It does not create new policy but provides targeted financial recognition for pandemic-era service.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Low Income Household Water Assistance Program to help low-income households pay water and sewer bills. It provides $25 million in state funding to cover costs for households with incomes at or below 60% of New Jersey’s median income (based on U.S. Census data). The program prevents water service disconnections due to unpaid bills, restores service to households already disconnected, and offers debt relief for past arrears. It funds direct assistance, water efficiency programs, and support for renters who don’t receive direct water bills, administered through the Department of Community Affairs with coordination from the Board of Public Utilities.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2116) requires all health insurance plans sold in the state - covering hospital, medical, and group policies - to include coverage for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia screening for people aged 65 or older. It mandates that this coverage be provided "to the same extent as for any other condition" under the plan, meaning no extra costs or restrictions beyond standard medical coverage. The law applies to all insurance types (including HMOs and health benefits plans) delivered, issued, or renewed in New Jersey after the bill's effective date. It defines "Alzheimer's disease and related disorders" as dementia causing significant impairment in daily functioning. The bill does not create new costs for insurers but ensures existing coverage must include these screenings for seniors.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the minimum age to obtain a firearms purchaser identification card in New Jersey from 18 to 21 years. It directly affects individuals under 21 who wish to purchase rifles or shotguns (excluding antique models), as they would no longer be eligible for the required card. The key provision amends New Jersey Statute 2C:58-3(c)(4) to increase the age threshold for this specific permit. The change applies only to rifles and shotguns, not handguns (which already require a 21+ age for permits). The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's "Daniel's Law" to protect municipal court administrators' personal information. It prohibits posting home addresses or unpublished phone numbers online without authorization, with penalties for violations (crimes of the third or fourth degree). Covered individuals include active, retired, or former municipal court administrators and their immediate family members living in the same household. Authorized representatives (such as family members or legal guardians) can request removal of such information from the internet.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) agencies - nonprofit organizations managing homelessness services in New Jersey - to remain open during public health emergencies. It mandates the Department of Community Affairs to fund one agency per "populous county" (county with 350,000+ residents) to manage homelessness prevention services in those areas. If federal pandemic funding is insufficient, the agency head may request state funds from the General Fund to cover gaps. The law directly affects agencies in populous counties and the residents they serve, ensuring continuous access to homelessness prevention during emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill increases penalties for improperly disclosing expunged criminal records and sets new requirements for background check businesses. It raises the maximum fine for revealing expunged records from $200 to $2,000 and requires background check companies to regularly update records, delete expunged entries promptly, and inform clients about record validity dates. Companies that distribute expunged records they know are sealed face $5,000 penalties or actual damages plus legal fees. The bill directly affects background check businesses and individuals with expunged records by strengthening protections against improper disclosure. It takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers to order ultrasounds of both breasts at the same time as mammograms when medically indicated, and mandates health insurers to cover both tests together. It directly affects women receiving breast cancer screenings (particularly those with dense breast tissue, family history, or other risk factors) and their insurance providers. The key provision eliminates the need for separate authorization for ultrasounds ordered concurrently with mammograms, streamlining coverage for diagnostic testing. This applies to all health insurance contracts in New Jersey that cover breast cancer screening, aligning with existing guidelines for dense breast tissue and other risk factors.