Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryAJR 126 designates April 18 of each year as "Worker Safety Day" in New Jersey. The bill encourages employers, workers, government agencies, and communities to promote workplace safety through public awareness. It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation urging New Jersey residents to observe the day with activities supporting safe work environments. This resolution has no regulatory effect but aims to highlight the importance of preventing workplace injuries and deaths.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's three-year pilot program for barber licensure for another three years, applying only to four cities: Elizabeth, Passaic, Paterson, and Perth Amboy. It allows individuals who previously provided barbering services in another state or country (even if that jurisdiction doesn't issue barbering licenses) to obtain a 120-day provisional permit to work while awaiting full licensure. The provisional permit can be extended if the applicant continues to meet program criteria and their license application remains pending. During this period, they may practice under direct supervision of a licensed New Jersey barber without violating licensing laws, provided they've made good-faith efforts to obtain a full license.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a proportional property tax exemption for New Jersey veterans who are honorably discharged and have a service-connected permanent disability rated at 10% or higher. It directly affects qualifying veterans (and their surviving spouses) by reducing their property taxes in line with their disability rating, with a $10,000 cap for exemptions below 100% disability. Veterans deemed unemployable due to service-connected disability receive a full 100% exemption, matching current benefits for those with 100% disability ratings. The bill also requires the state to reimburse municipalities 102% of the tax costs for these exemptions, including administrative expenses, through annual reporting by local tax authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to post specific information on their websites. Four-year public institutions must display the average time-to-degree completion (time from enrollment to graduation) for each bachelor's degree program. County colleges must post approved student outcome measures for associate degrees. All institutions must also make annual fiscal reports and audits publicly accessible online, with clear summaries for the public. The requirement applies starting the first full academic year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires health care providers to order a bilateral ultrasound at the same time as a mammogram when a woman has specific breast cancer risk factors, such as family history, dense breast tissue, or other medical indications. It also mandates that all health insurers cover both the mammogram and the concurrent ultrasound without additional out-of-pocket costs for patients. The law applies to all health insurance plans in New Jersey, including commercial, individual, group, and state health benefit plans. The requirement triggers when a health care provider determines a patient has additional risk factors for breast cancer, as defined in the bill. This policy aims to improve early breast cancer detection by ensuring comprehensive screening for at-risk patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every New Jersey municipality to provide basic life support (BLS) services - such as CPR, wound care, and emergency ambulance transport - to meet community needs. It designates BLS as an "essential service" and gives municipalities five options to arrange it: contracting with private or nonprofit entities, entering mutual aid agreements with other towns, partnering with hospitals, or using existing fire/EMS departments. The law applies directly to all 565 New Jersey municipalities and takes effect immediately. It does not specify funding sources or service standards beyond the defined BLS scope.

Maddy summaryAJR 239 designates every May as "Maternal Mental Health Month" in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to raise awareness about mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period (up to two years after birth). It directly affects New Jersey residents, particularly pregnant individuals and new parents, by highlighting available resources like the Department of Health's maternal mood disorder hotline. The bill does not create new laws or funding but aims to reduce stigma and connect people to existing support services.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates August of each year as "Civility Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about the importance of respectful communication. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging residents, officials, and organizations to engage in activities promoting civil discourse. The bill does not create new laws or directly affect specific groups, but aims to highlight how incivility impacts social interactions and community engagement based on cited studies. It aligns with a decade-long national observance of "Civility Month" during August.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires all public schools to prominently display a link to the online application for free or reduced-price school meals on their websites. It directly affects public schools by mandating this visible placement, making it easier for families to access the application. The application determines eligibility for federal programs like the National School Lunch Program and state meal supplements, which parents must submit annually. The bill aims to improve access to meal benefits by ensuring the application link is easily found online.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A6002) requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to clearly display their agency name or initials and their name or badge number on their uniform during public interactions. It prohibits officers from wearing masks or disguises while performing official duties, except for specific exceptions like undercover work, tactical operations requiring face protection, water rescues, extreme weather, fire smoke protection, biohazard situations, or medical masks approved by a physician. The law applies to all officers from federal, state, county, and municipal agencies. Violating this rule is a disorderly persons offense punishable by a $500-$1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both.