Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryAJR 89 is a symbolic joint resolution passed by the New Jersey legislature that unconditionally condemns all forms of hate, hate-based violence, and bias crimes targeting individuals based on race, religion, ethnicity, disability, age, marital status, gender, or sexual orientation. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but urges the Governor and Attorney General to continue existing efforts like supporting victims, improving hate crime reporting, enhancing security at vulnerable sites, and researching solutions. The resolution emphasizes New Jersey’s commitment to protecting citizens from hatred and promoting an inclusive community, reflecting the state’s ongoing stance against bias-motivated incidents. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct legal effect on individuals or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 174) urges the Biden Administration to provide federal resources and funding to New Jersey for responding to nightly drone sightings over sensitive locations like military bases, water reservoirs, and Trump National Golf Club. It directly affects New Jersey state and local law enforcement agencies, which are expending significant resources to monitor and report unidentified drone activity. The resolution requests federal support to address the ongoing phenomenon, which has caused public concern since November 2024. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally asks the federal government for assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill reschedules New Jersey's June 2025 primary election from June 3 to June 10, 2025, to accommodate a religious observance. It adjusts most election-related deadlines to align with the new June 10 date, but keeps specific deadlines - such as those for nominating petitions, ballot position drawing, and mailing vote-by-mail ballots - tied to the original June 3 date. The Secretary of State must notify county clerks, election boards, and the public within seven days of the bill's effective date and publish a revised election calendar. This change directly affects all voters, candidates, and election officials participating in New Jersey's 2025 primary election cycle.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A908) requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create a statewide Internet-based tracking system for rape kits (sexual assault forensic evidence kits). It directly affects victims of sexual assault, healthcare facilities that collect kits, law enforcement agencies, and laboratories that process them. The system must track kits through every step - from collection at a hospital to final disposition - allowing authorized users to monitor the chain of custody. The Attorney General must issue guidelines to implement the system, which takes effect seven months after enactment. The bill focuses on improving transparency and accountability in handling rape kits, not on changing legal standards for sexual assault cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey public bodies, such as city councils and county boards, to meet public meeting notice requirements by posting official notices online in qualified online newspapers or, if no qualified newspaper exists, by publishing on their official website and posting in a public location. It expands the legal definition of "newspaper" to include online publications that meet specific criteria, such as having a general paid circulation and being published within the state. Notices must be prominently displayed and remain available for the same duration required for traditional newspaper publication, ensuring continued public access to meeting information without mandating print media.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's electric utilities to accept and process interconnection applications for grid supply solar facilities up to 20 megawatts in capacity. Utilities must approve applications unless they are incomplete (with feedback provided) or deemed unsafe (with modification recommendations), and facilities must pay interconnection costs while complying with utility tariffs. Approved facilities will be compensated in real-time for electricity supplied at the point of interconnection and remain eligible for state incentives with board approval. Utilities must also extend interconnection facilities at the applicant's cost to connect solar projects, following safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires campus police officers at New Jersey colleges and universities to wear body cameras that record audio and video during official duties. It specifies that cameras must be activated during public encounters and interactions, with exceptions for undercover work, non-emergency civilian requests, or specific situations like school environments. The bill also establishes minimum recording retention periods (180 days minimum, longer for incidents involving complaints or use of force) and prohibits using recordings for commercial purposes. Campus police officers are the primary group directly affected, as this legislation specifically expands the body camera requirement to include them under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's law governing employment programs for people with disabilities, renaming the "Sheltered Workshop Act" to the "Extended Employment Act." It changes eligibility requirements by redefining disabilities from "severe" to "significant" and removes the need for participants to complete workshop programs or prove they can't compete in the regular labor market. The bill eliminates oversight by the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, revises funding mechanisms to adjust annually based on inflation, and repeals outdated provisions about product labeling and sales from these programs. The changes aim to modernize the program to better serve people with disabilities who may not have qualified under previous rules. The bill directly affects nonprofit extended employment providers and people with disabilities enrolled in these programs.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A5096 bill adds "immigration status" and "citizenship status" as protected characteristics under the state's Law Against Discrimination. This means it's now unlawful for employers, housing providers, and public accommodations to discriminate against people based on their immigration status, including undocumented individuals, permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or work authorization holders. The bill specifically prohibits housing providers from asking about or requiring disclosure of immigration status, and from threatening to disclose such information to harass, intimidate, or influence tenants. Exceptions are limited to situations where federal or state law requires such inquiries or when necessary to obtain benefits from federal or state programs.

Maddy summarySJR 71 designates the first full week of May each year as "Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week" in New Jersey to honor veterans who sustained physical or mental injuries while serving. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation encouraging public awareness and support for wounded veterans adjusting to civilian life. It does not create new programs or funding but formally recognizes the challenges faced by veterans, including those with combat-related stress, depression, or traumatic brain injuries. This ceremonial designation applies statewide and became law in December 2024.