Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A4915 requires the state Department of State to create a public "Reproductive Health Travel Advisory" for New Jersey residents traveling while pregnant. The advisory categorizes all U.S. states into three color-coded tiers based on reproductive healthcare access: "Blue" (full access without legal risk), "Yellow" (restricted access with potential legal consequences), and "Red" (extreme restrictions risking denial of emergency care). It provides detailed state-specific information on abortion bans, funding, and legal protections, and must be updated on the state website whenever another state changes its reproductive health laws. This helps residents make informed travel decisions regarding pregnancy-related medical needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Department of Veterans Affairs as a principal department within New Jersey's Executive Branch, transferring all veterans-specific services currently handled by the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. The new department will be led by a commissioner who must be an honorably discharged veteran and will oversee veterans' homes, memorial cemeteries, and various services including benefits administration, counseling programs, and housing assistance. The legislation aims to create a more focused agency dedicated solely to veterans' needs, as New Jersey is one of few states without a dedicated veterans' affairs department. This change maintains all existing veterans' programs while creating a centralized agency to better coordinate these services for the state's approximately 900,000 veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers and contractors working on projects for New Jersey public bodies (such as state agencies, local governments, schools, or publicly funded projects) to register with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) and submit certified payroll records. It expands current requirements by applying to all work for public bodies - not just projects subject to prevailing wage laws - covering construction, maintenance, repairs, and other work paid for with public funds or financial assistance. Employers must provide these records within 10 days of a request; failure to comply allows DOLWD to direct public bodies to withhold up to 25% of payment (capped at $100,000) until records are submitted. The bill directly affects contractors and employers performing work for public entities, ensuring transparency in wage reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3871) requires New Jersey public school districts to include instruction on the history and contributions of Latino and Hispanic Americans in social studies and English language arts lessons for all students in kindergarten through 12th grade. It mandates the State Board of Education to adopt specific learning standards on this topic and directs school boards to integrate these standards into their existing curriculum. The Commissioner of Education must also provide sample lesson plans and resources to support implementation, working with the Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage. This affects all New Jersey public schools and their K-12 students by making this content a required part of standard curriculum, not optional.

Maddy summaryAJR 216 is a joint resolution directing New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to investigate whether PJM Interconnection's Reliability Pricing Model (capacity market) effectively provides reliable electricity at the lowest cost. The bill requires the BPU to report its findings within 12 months and directs the state to collaborate with neighboring PJM states to promote affordable energy practices, prioritize carbon-free sources, and urge PJM to implement market reforms. It specifically addresses rising capacity costs in PJM's auctions - contributing to higher electricity bills - and delays in approving new generation projects that prevent lower-cost resources from entering the market. The resolution aims to protect ratepayers, particularly low-income households, from price increases while supporting grid reliability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors bidding on New Jersey public works projects (funded by public funds) to certify that each employee meets one of three minimum qualifications: a high school or GED diploma, enrollment in an equivalent apprenticeship program, or four years of verifiable work experience as a tradesperson. Contractors must provide documentation to verify these qualifications during electronic registration with the state. The law directly affects construction and labor contractors working on public projects, ensuring workers meet basic education or experience standards. It amends existing registration requirements under P.L.1999, c.238, with enforcement tied to contractor registration status.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" to improve transparency around vehicle recalls and provide fair compensation for dealers. It requires motor vehicle dealers to check for open recalls on used vehicles using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website before sale, inform prospective buyers about any recalls found, and not sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices. Dealers must also provide the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission with lists of vehicles with long-unfixed recalls (six months or more), triggering the Commission to send official notices to vehicle owners. The bill also establishes compensation requirements for dealers when parts are unavailable for recalled vehicles, requiring 1.75 percent of the vehicle's value per month for used vehicles or the manufacturer's suggested retail price for new vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Universal Preschool and Kindergarten Act" requiring all school districts to provide full-day kindergarten by the 2029-2030 school year. It creates a Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee to oversee preschool expansion and establishes preschool expansion grants for districts not currently providing State-funded preschool. The bill revises preschool education aid formulas to prioritize districts with higher concentrations of at-risk students and requires districts receiving preschool aid to partner with licensed childcare providers and Head Start programs. School districts must submit annual implementation plans and participate in quality improvement assessments. The legislation aims to expand access to high-quality preschool for all three- and four-year-olds in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates New Jersey's sales tax on specific baby products and sunscreen. It exempts baby wash, shampoo, lotions, powders, car seats (child restraint systems), cribs (including bassinets), nursing bottles/nipples/funnels, and strollers from the state sales tax. Sunscreen is also exempt if it's FDA-regulated for UV protection (lotion, cream, spray, or gel), excluding cosmetic products. The tax change applies to retail sales starting October 1, 2025, directly benefiting parents and caregivers purchasing these items.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 23 of each year as "International Widows' Day" to raise awareness about the challenges faced by widows. It requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the day through activities that highlight widows' experiences. The bill does not create new policies, funding, or legal changes - it serves solely as a symbolic recognition of widows' issues, citing statistics like 260 million widows globally and 1 million U.S. widows annually. It passed unanimously in the New Jersey Assembly and became law (P.L.2025, JR-10).