Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $4.5 million grant program to reimburse New Jersey school districts for costs incurred when expanding their procurement of locally grown food for students. It directly affects eligible school districts participating in federal meal programs (like National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs), requiring them to submit plans for new or expanded local food sourcing beyond current baseline levels. The program reimburses documented costs for minimally processed local foods (like fruits, vegetables, or grains grown in New Jersey), excluding fluid dairy milk. School districts must implement new policies to increase local food access during school meals or summer programs to qualify for reimbursement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Chief Diversity Officer in the Treasury Department to create and run programs aimed at increasing contracts awarded to minority-owned and women-owned businesses. It expands the officer's existing duty of tracking current contracting data (like contract values and percentages going to these businesses) to actively develop new initiatives. The direct effect is on state procurement processes, aiming to help minority- and women-owned businesses secure more state contracts. The key change is shifting from passive monitoring to proactive program development, as specified in the amendment to P.L.2017, c.95.

Maddy summaryThe "Immigrant Tenant Protection Act" (A4492) prohibits landlords in New Jersey from threatening to disclose or disclosing a tenant’s immigration or citizenship status to force them out of housing, or from using that status as a basis for eviction. It bans evictions solely or partially tied to immigration status and allows tenants to sue for up to $2,000 per violation, plus damages and legal fees. The bill also blocks courts from inquiring into a tenant’s immigration status during housing rights cases, except in limited circumstances like federal program compliance. It directly affects residential tenants (particularly immigrant communities) and landlords, while clarifying that landlords may still request standard financial or identity verification for legitimate rental purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes that the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police will hold the rank of Colonel and be authorized to wear the corresponding uniform. It requires the superintendent to be a graduate of the State Police Academy and to maintain an active law enforcement license if they do not already possess one. Additionally, the legislation allows retired state police officers to be appointed as superintendent without needing to rejoin the retirement system, regardless of their age or previous retirant status. These changes directly affect the leadership structure and hiring qualifications for the top position within the state police force.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires businesses using real-time text chat (like customer support) to offer consumers a verbatim transcript of the conversation at the end of the interaction. Businesses must clearly inform customers upfront about this option. Violations are illegal under consumer fraud law, with penalties up to $20,000 per offense and potential fines or court-ordered remedies. The law applies to all businesses operating in New Jersey that use chat communication with consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for on-demand micro transit programs in New Jersey, which are app- or phone-based shared rides using vehicles. It directly affects New Jersey Transit, county transit agencies, and other operators by requiring drivers to be public employees or contractors who hire existing drivers at equivalent wages/benefits (no independent contractors), and mandating that services expand into transit deserts without replacing existing routes. Key provisions include ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, providing non-smartphone access options, and requiring monthly data reporting on costs, ridership, and wait times. The New Jersey Transit Corporation must publish this data quarterly, and violations will trigger wage law penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's regulations regarding hemp and medical cannabis by clarifying restrictions on specific products and sales methods. It prohibits the sale of viable seeds from high-THC plants, synthetic cannabinoids, and certain intermediate hemp-derived products, while allowing licensed producers to temporarily possess and transport these items for processing purposes. The legislation also bans the online sale of intoxicating hemp beverages and forbids their distribution through vending machines, imposing civil penalties of up to $10,000 for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's child tax credit to include children aged six through 11, in addition to the current eligibility for children under six. It directly affects resident taxpayers with taxable income of $80,000 or less who have children in this age range. The key provision amends existing state tax law to allow a credit of up to $1,000 per child, with the amount decreasing as family income rises above $30,000, and applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives initial application and issuance fees for professional and occupational licenses in New Jersey for veterans and their spouses, domestic partners, or civil union partners who already hold a current, equivalent license in another state. It applies when the applicant resides in New Jersey and the out-of-state license meets the board's equivalent or substantially equivalent requirements. The exemption covers all licenses issued by professional boards under the Division of Consumer Affairs. The bill does not affect renewal fees or licenses obtained through other pathways.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and insurance carriers to increase transparency and fairness in prescription drug coverage. It requires carriers and PBMs to establish pharmacy and therapeutics committees with strict conflict-of-interest rules, prohibits commission-based PBM compensation (mandating flat fees instead), and mandates detailed reporting of PBM fees for insurance filings. The law directly affects insurers, PBMs, and pharmacies by changing how drug formularies (approved drug lists) are managed and how PBM costs are calculated and disclosed. Key provisions include banning preferential formulary placement for higher-cost drugs over lower-cost generics/biosimilars and requiring actuarial documentation for PBM compensation. The bill aims to reduce patient cost-sharing and ensure PBM compensation aligns with administrative costs.