Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the asset limits (resource thresholds) for New Jersey Medicaid eligibility under the "medically needy" program. It raises the maximum allowable assets from current levels to $40,000 for single-person households, $60,000 for two-person households, and an additional $20,000 per extra person in larger households. These changes directly affect individuals who qualify as "medically needy" - including pregnant women, children under 21, seniors 65+, and people who are blind or disabled - by allowing them to retain more assets while still qualifying for Medicaid coverage. The policy adjustment aligns New Jersey’s resource standards with federal guidelines for medically needy eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes mandatory standards for domestic violence counseling programs required by courts for offenders. It directly affects defendants ordered to attend such counseling in domestic violence cases, requiring programs to include four key components: risk assessments identifying escalating violence patterns, education on power/control tactics, verified attendance tracking with court reporting, and regular oversight by New Jersey's Department of Children and Families. The law aims to ensure counseling programs actively promote offender accountability rather than simply meeting attendance requirements. It implements a specific recommendation from a 2023 criminal justice report and takes effect three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's definition of "veteran" to include individuals discharged under less than honorable conditions due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or related conduct. It directly affects LGBTQ veterans who were discharged for these reasons, expanding their eligibility for state benefits and programs. The key mechanism requires the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DVA) to create a standardized review process to verify a veteran's status as a "discharged LGBTQ veteran," including an eligibility form. The bill amends existing statutes to formally incorporate this new definition into state law, ensuring these veterans qualify for benefits previously reserved for those discharged under honorable conditions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill expands the crime of bias intimidation to cover more protected characteristics like gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability, and increases penalties for such offenses. It raises the severity of bias intimidation to one degree higher than the underlying crime (e.g., making a fourth-degree offense a third-degree crime), adds mandatory sentencing for first-degree cases, and requires courts to impose separate sentences for bias intimidation and the underlying offense. Perpetrators convicted of bias intimidation must also complete sensitivity training, counseling, or pay compensation to victim support programs. Victims of bias-motivated crimes benefit from new financial penalties ($250-$2,000 per offense) collected by the state and directed to community services. The law applies to anyone committing crimes like assault or harassment with bias motivation, directly affecting both offenders and victims in hate crime cases.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 2592 requires most residential landlords to give tenants written notice within five business days if nearby construction (like neighbor property work) or their own maintenance might cause property damage or hazards. This applies to landlords renting properties with more than two units or seasonal rentals, excluding small owner-occupied homes (up to three units) and hotels. Notices must be delivered by mail, posted prominently, or electronically before work begins. Landlords who fail to provide notice face fines up to $200 per violation, enforceable through local courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's unemployment rules for workers who leave a job for another that later falls through. It extends the acceptable time window from 7 to 10 days for workers to accept a new job without losing benefits if the offer is rescinded through no fault of their own. Workers qualify for benefits if the new job's pay or hours match their previous position, and they left for a job starting within 10 days. The rule also adjusts the timeline if an employer terminates them early, starting the 10-day period from the planned departure date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires each New Jersey county to establish at least one drive-up ballot drop box accessible by vehicle, designed with features like curb cuts and handicap parking. It mandates that all ballot drop boxes (including the drive-up type) be secured, visible, and placed at specific locations such as county government buildings, large municipalities, and colleges with over 5,000 students. The bill also requires counties to post clear information at drop box locations, prohibits political materials within 100 feet of boxes during elections, and ensures accessibility compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. These provisions apply to all mail-in ballots deposited by election closing time.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2300) exempts sales of books at school book fairs from New Jersey's state sales tax. It directly affects elementary and secondary schools holding book fairs, defining a "school book fair" as an event selling books exclusively to students at that school and their parents or guardians. The exemption applies to receipts from these specific sales, removing the tax burden on book purchases during these school-organized events. The law takes effect four months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits mobile service providers and app developers from sharing customers' GPS location data with third parties without explicit consent. To obtain consent, app developers must provide a clear, bold notice requiring users to actively agree ("I agree to allow my location data to be disclosed"). Exceptions apply for legal requirements like law enforcement requests, and third parties accessing the data cannot sell it or share it beyond the purpose of the consent. Violations would violate New Jersey's consumer fraud law, potentially resulting in fines up to $20,000 per offense. The bill is pending in the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor to establish a heat stress standard by June 2025, creating rules to protect workers from heat-related illness. It directly affects all employers in the state - including construction, agriculture, and indoor workplaces without climate control - by mandating written heat illness prevention plans. Key provisions include employer requirements for monitoring heat exposure, providing cool water (66-77°F or 35-65°F), paid rest breaks, shade or cooling areas, and emergency response protocols. The standard aims to address risks highlighted by rising temperatures and existing deaths from heat exposure, aligning with protections in other states like California and Oregon.