Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling to administer professional license examinations in English and the four most commonly spoken languages in the state (other than English), instead of only English with optional Spanish for practicing licensees. It directly affects cosmetology applicants and license holders seeking to take or renew their licenses. The key provision mandates the Division of Consumers Affairs to post these four languages on its website and verify them every five years. The bill does not change current requirements for Spanish or translator assistance but expands language options based on statewide demographics.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to inform students with federal student loans about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program during their final two academic semesters. It also mandates that state government employers provide employees with PSLF information during onboarding and annually thereafter. The required information must include eligibility details, the program's website, and federal requirements (20 U.S.C. §1087e), and can be delivered electronically, by mail, or in person. The goal is to increase awareness of this federal program, which forgives student loans after 10 years of qualifying public service work.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey employers with 10+ employees to publicly announce promotion opportunities to all current employees in the relevant department before making a promotion decision, unless based solely on experience or performance. It also mandates that employers include salary ranges and details of benefits/compensation for the first 12 months in all job postings for new positions, transfers, or promotions. Employers violating these requirements face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. Temporary staffing firms are exempt from posting pay details for general job listings but must provide this information at the time of interview or hire for specific roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "sheltered market program" allowing New Jersey state agencies to reserve certain contracts for certified businesses including minority-owned, women-owned, disabled veterans' businesses, LGBTQ+-owned businesses, and other economically or socially disadvantaged enterprises. State agencies must seek approval from the Chief Diversity Officer to designate contracts for this program, using criteria like historical underutilization of certified businesses. The program requires agencies to publish designated contracts online, conduct outreach to eligible businesses, and submit annual reports tracking contract awards and performance. Contracts under the program cannot exceed three years, and prime contractors must make good-faith efforts to offer subcontracting opportunities to qualified businesses.

Maddy summaryThe bill makes several key changes to New Jersey's expungement laws to make the process easier and expand eligibility. It allows people who successfully complete Recovery Court (special probation for substance use disorders) to have their entire criminal records expunged, including indictable crimes. It streamlines the process by allowing people to include all eligible municipal violations and juvenile records on a single petition rather than filing multiple petitions. The bill also reduces the waiting period for automatic "Clean Slate" expungements from 10 to 7 years and removes barriers related to out-of-state convictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $250 annual gross income tax deduction for eligible New Jersey educators and paraprofessionals for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. It directly affects K-12 teachers, counselors, principals, and school aides (working at least 900 hours yearly) employed by public or private NJ schools. The deduction covers expenses like books, computers, software, and classroom materials, excluding nonathletic health/PE supplies. The policy applies to taxable years starting after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A4747 bill bans the sale, distribution, or possession with intent to sell any food containing "cell-based food" - defined as animal tissue cultured in labs outside the animal. It directly affects restaurants, grocery stores, and food manufacturers selling such products. Violators face a $1,000 civil penalty per violation, with daily offenses counted separately for ongoing violations. The law takes immediate effect and empowers health agencies to enforce it through existing penalty enforcement procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the sale, distribution, import, or manufacture of children's products intended for children under six that contain lead, mercury, or cadmium. It requires manufacturers to issue immediate recalls if they discover such products, and retailers must remove recalled items from shelves within 48 hours and return inventory within 14 business days at the manufacturer's cost. Manufacturers must then destroy recalled products within 60 business days to prevent public access. Violations carry penalties including fines up to $20,000 for initial offenses, or criminal charges with up to 10 years in prison for repeated failures.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords in New Jersey from charging tenants extra fees or rent for keeping pets in residential rental units. Landlords cannot require additional payments, include pet-related fees in leases, or impose nonrefundable charges beyond a single $500 refundable security deposit (included within the standard security deposit limit). Tenants who face violations can seek court-ordered lease termination or sue for $1,000 per offense plus legal fees. The law applies to all residential rentals (excluding hotels/motels) and affects both current tenants and applicants.

Maddy summaryBill A2100 creates a presumption that public safety workers (firefighters, police, EMTs) who responded to the September 11, 2001 attacks and developed illnesses covered by the CDC’s World Trade Center Health Program are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. It removes time limits for filing claims and requires documentation from the CDC program to prove eligibility. Benefits cannot duplicate existing state or federal compensation for the same condition. This applies only to workers currently enrolled in the CDC’s WTC Health Program, not to all 9/11 responders.