Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's wiretap authorization law to allow law enforcement to seek court orders for wiretaps when investigating four specific crimes: luring or enticing a child, identity theft, stalking, and cyber-harassment (specifically the third/fourth degree offenses under N.J.S.2C:33-4.1). It directly affects law enforcement agencies (like the Attorney General's office and county prosecutors) who can now request these wiretap orders for these offenses, as they were previously excluded from the list of authorized crimes. The key mechanism is amending existing wiretap statute language to add these four offenses to the list of crimes where wiretap evidence may be sought. This change would not alter current wiretap procedures but broadens the scope of crimes eligible for such surveillance.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey grocery stores from providing single-use paper carryout bags to customers, unless the bags contain a significant amount of postconsumer recycled content. It directly affects grocery stores (defined as self-service retail establishments over 2,500 sq. ft. selling food for off-site consumption) and applies to bags used for transporting groceries or retail goods. The key provision requires stores to either use paper bags with high recycled content or switch to alternative packaging, while exempting bags for specific items like raw meat, produce, or pharmacy prescriptions. The law aims to reduce plastic and paper waste by discouraging single-use bags that contribute to pollution and environmental harm.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 966) requires the Commissioner of Health to create a public awareness campaign focused on improving maternal and child health outcomes, with a specific emphasis on equitable care across all racial and ethnic groups. The campaign will provide accessible information through a dedicated Department of Health website, including hospital data on cesarean births and breastfeeding rates to help women choose care providers, promote birth plan documentation in medical records, and share guidance on avoiding unnecessary interventions like early inductions. It also educates the public on maternal health services, breastfeeding rights, pregnancy discrimination protections, and Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women. The campaign directly affects pregnant individuals, new mothers, and healthcare providers in New Jersey by making key maternity care information more transparent and actionable.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1929) requires New Jersey to create a program paying high school equivalency exam fees for low-income adults. It directly affects individuals with household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines, who seek a state-issued high school diploma. The State Board of Education must establish the program within six months, including income verification documentation, and limit fee coverage to one exam per person. The program will be funded using 5% of revenues from the existing Workforce Development Partnership Fund, as amended in Section 9 of P.L.1992, c.43.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3668) allows New Jersey couples to obtain marriage or civil union licenses and have ceremonies solemnized via live video calls, replacing the current requirement for in-person appearances. It directly affects couples seeking marriage/civil unions, licensing officials, and officiants (like religious leaders), requiring live video interaction, valid ID verification, and digital signing of documents transmitted between parties. Key provisions mandate that video conferences must allow real-time interaction, all participants must confirm their New Jersey location, and signed documents must be transmitted securely to officials. The bill modernizes the process by enabling remote compliance with legal requirements for licensing and ceremonies. If enacted, it would update New Jersey law to permit these services via audio-visual technology, as currently required to be done in person.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Division of Private Employment Dispute Settlement to handle labor issues for cannabis employers in New Jersey, specifically addressing union representation and unfair practices. It requires cannabis employers to recognize employee representatives through card checks (with language accessibility) or NLRB-compliant elections, and prohibits retaliation against workers for union activities. Employers who fail to provide required employee contact information face daily fines up to $5,000. The bill applies exclusively to cannabis businesses and excludes religious schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits from its provisions. (Note: This bill was withdrawn as it was superseded by prior legislation, P.L.2025, c.244.)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires construction permit applicants in New Jersey to disclose the anticipated funding sources and amounts for their projects. It applies to most construction projects but excludes single-family homes, routine renovations or repairs of dwelling units, and small-scale alterations (like individual units in buildings with fewer than three units). Applicants must provide this funding information when applying for a permit, and before receiving a certificate of occupancy, they must certify the accuracy of that information or submit updated details. The Commissioner of Community Affairs will develop specific rules within 180 days to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public school teachers to complete two hours of cultural competence training every two years as part of their professional development. The training must cover topics like personal awareness, classroom microaggressions, and implicit bias to help teachers better support students from diverse backgrounds. The State Board of Education must integrate this requirement into existing rules that already mandate 20 hours of annual professional development for teachers. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryAJR 57 designates May of each year as "Foster Care Month" in New Jersey to raise awareness about the state's foster care system and honor child welfare professionals. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public recognition of the over 3,100 children in foster care and the professionals who help them find permanent homes. It has no substantive policy changes or financial impacts - it is a symbolic resolution aligning with National Foster Care Month. The measure takes effect immediately upon adoption.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3675, now law as P.L.2025, c.196) allows pharmacists to dispense HIV prevention medicine (PrEP) and emergency HIV treatment (PEP) without individual prescriptions under specific conditions. It directly affects patients seeking HIV prevention or post-exposure treatment, requiring pharmacists to follow strict protocols: verify recent HIV-negative test results, screen for symptoms/contraindications, provide counseling, and notify primary care providers. Pharmacists must complete state-approved training covering medication use and financial assistance programs. The law mandates a 30-60 day supply for PrEP (with limits on frequency) and requires PEP to be dispensed within 72 hours of potential exposure, aligning with federal CDC guidelines.