Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2726) requires employers in New Jersey to use bias audits for automated tools that screen job applicants or make employment decisions (like hiring, promotions, or pay). It mandates that sellers of these tools provide annual bias audits evaluating potential discrimination against protected groups (such as race, gender, or disability), and employers must post audit summaries online and notify candidates 10 days before using such tools. The law applies to all employers, including government agencies, and aims to prevent biased outcomes by requiring independent reviews and transparency. The bill is pending before the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) rules to allow temporary state employees at psychiatric hospitals or correctional facilities to qualify for accidental disability benefits. It specifically covers injuries sustained after January 2003 while working temporarily at these facilities (before becoming a PERS member), making such injuries eligible for PERS benefits once the employee gains membership. The key change deems these pre-membership injuries as occurring "during membership" if the employee joins PERS without interruption in the same job. This expands eligibility beyond current rules, which only provided workers' compensation for such injuries before PERS membership.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding and flexibility for New Jersey's Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which provides financial support to nonprofits at high risk of attacks (including terrorism, extremism, or violence). It raises the maximum annual grant for security personnel from $10,000 to $25,000 per application (with a $75,000 yearly cap per organization) and for security equipment from $50,000 to $100,000 per application. Organizations may now apply for multiple grants for separate locations and receive both personnel and equipment funding in the same year - previously prohibited. The bill also mandates a minimum annual budget request of $14 million (up from $2 million) and specifies funding allocation: 55% for personnel, 36% for equipment, and 4% for outreach.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Lifeline Credit Program to cover water utility bills, adding them to existing electricity and gas assistance. It directly affects low-income households already eligible for specific federal or state benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), disability benefits, or Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled. The program provides a $200 annual credit applied across utility bills (one-third to water, one-third to electricity, one-third to gas), with special rules for households receiving SSI benefits. It also creates a separate Tenants' Lifeline Assistance Program for renters without individual utility bills who meet the same eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's Second Chance Program within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The program provides career opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals by partnering with labor organizations to identify and create employment pathways in local trades. It directly affects people recently released from prison who face significant barriers to stable work. The key mechanism requires labor organizations - defined as per federal law - to collaborate with the state in developing job placement plans, aiming to reduce recidivism through meaningful employment. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill removes a requirement that written palimony agreements (support promises between partners in non-marital relationships) must be made with independent legal advice for both parties. It directly affects individuals in non-marital relationships who create written agreements about financial support during or after the relationship. The bill amends state law to delete the "advice of counsel" clause from the statute defining palimony, codifying a 2022 New Jersey Supreme Court ruling that found the requirement unconstitutional. This change means such agreements can now be valid without both parties having separately consulted lawyers.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits cloud computing service providers working with New Jersey public, private, and charter schools from disclosing student data collected through their services. It requires providers to certify in writing that they will only share data with school students, teachers, or staff, and only to deliver the service or maintain system security. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $5,000 for first offenses and $10,000 for repeat offenses, enforced through the Superior Court. The law directly affects cloud service companies contracted by schools, aiming to restrict unauthorized sharing of student information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public water systems to notify affected customers about boil water notices within 24 hours of an emergency. Starting 90 days after enactment, systems must use customers' preferred contact methods (like phone, email, or text) instead of relying solely on traditional notices, and must include specific details: the affected area, date of the issue, required safety steps, and a contact number. Systems must also post notices on their public websites and provide similar updates when the notice ends. This applies to all public water systems except transient noncommunity systems serving temporary populations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retail stores experiencing a coin shortage from charging customers extra for paying with cash. It specifically applies to in-person transactions (excluding online or phone sales) and bans retailers from imposing higher prices for cash payments during such shortages. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under New Jersey law, potentially leading to fines up to $20,000 per offense. The law aims to prevent businesses from unfairly penalizing cash users when coin supplies are low.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts specific baby products and sunscreen from New Jersey's sales tax starting October 1, 2025. It directly affects parents and caregivers purchasing baby necessities like baby wash, car seats (child restraint systems), cribs, nursing bottles, and strollers, as well as sunscreen regulated by the FDA for sun protection (excluding cosmetic products). The bill amends existing tax law to add these items to the list of exempt sales, clarifying definitions for terms like "child restraint system" and "sunscreen." It does not change tax rates but removes tax from these specific retail purchases. The exemption applies to all qualifying products sold after the effective date.