Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates the sale of "intoxicating hemp products" in New Jersey by requiring sellers to be licensed by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. It defines intoxicating hemp products as those containing more than 0.5 milligrams of total THC per serving or 2.5 milligrams per package, prohibits sales to anyone under 21, and bans products not derived from naturally occurring biologically active chemical constituents. Violations carry escalating fines: $100 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $10,000 for third and subsequent offenses. The bill clarifies that hemp products meeting the THC limits (not more than 0.3% on dry weight basis) remain regulated under the Hemp Farming Act, while intoxicating products fall under cannabis regulations. It also requires the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to develop a public education program for businesses on these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private bus companies operating regular scheduled routes (excluding charter, casino, or tourism-focused services) to notify the public and government agencies before making major service cuts. Specifically, operators must provide 4 months' written notice to state agencies (NJ Motor Vehicle Commission and NJ Transit) and 3 months' notice to riders before reducing service. They must also hold a public meeting in the affected area within 15 days of notifying riders, with prior notice to local officials. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $10,000 per instance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires social media companies with at least 5 million global users to implement specific safety measures for minors. Key provisions include developing algorithms to detect inappropriate adult-minor interactions (like private messaging), creating real-time monitoring systems to flag and report such activity, and restricting minors' accounts from appearing in search results unless the searcher is already connected to them. It also mandates geo-fencing to block minors from accessing inappropriate content and requires verification (via government ID) for accounts using a minor's name or likeness in over 25% of sponsored content, adding a public "adult" banner to verified accounts. Enforcement falls to New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs, with fines up to $2,500 per violation or private lawsuits allowing individuals to seek $2,500 per violation or actual damages.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legal protections for patients and healthcare providers accessing or providing reproductive and gender-affirming health care services in New Jersey. It creates a new crime for interfering with these services (including physical obstruction, intimidation, or damaging property), with penalties ranging from a disorderly persons offense to a fourth-degree crime. The bill also prevents New Jersey from extraditing people for legally protected health care activities, prohibits licensing boards from penalizing providers for services that are legal in New Jersey but illegal in other states, and protects patient privacy related to these services. It specifically ensures that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus has no independent legal rights under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThe Farm Labor Equality Act would extend key labor protections to New Jersey farmworkers that were previously limited to other workers. It raises the minimum age for agricultural work from 12 to 14 years, limits work hours for minors, and requires overtime pay for hours over 40 per week. The bill also provides farmworkers with collective bargaining rights, access to employee information, and removes barriers to unemployment benefits. These changes would directly affect agricultural employers and farmworkers across New Jersey, bringing farm labor protections in line with other sectors.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Works Act provides tax credits to businesses that fund pre-employment training programs with educational institutions or nonprofits. Businesses can receive a tax credit equal to 100% of the financial assistance they provide for approved programs that offer at least 12 weeks of paid training at minimum wage to low- and moderate-income individuals. These programs must include training in basic skills, communication, critical thinking, and job readiness. The bill appropriates $3 million from the General Fund to implement the program and requires a two-year evaluation of its effectiveness, excluding construction businesses from participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands accidental death benefits under New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to include companions - defined as partners who cohabited with a member for at least two years, were generally regarded as spouses, and met specific relationship criteria - when there is no surviving spouse, children, or parents. It changes the calculation method for these benefits to use "adjusted final compensation," which accounts for pay increases that would have applied to the member had they continued working until 25 years of service. Companions of members who died on or after January 1, 2023, without surviving family can now apply for retroactive benefits within six months of the bill's effective date, with payments starting from the date of death.

Maddy summaryAJR 185 designates the month of May each year as "Nurse's Month" in New Jersey to honor nurses for their contributions to healthcare. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public recognition through community activities and events celebrating nurses. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws, change funding, or alter healthcare policies - it solely aims to raise awareness of nurses' vital role in patient care and community health.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's existing plastic bag law to allow grocery stores to provide single-use paper carryout bags, but only if the bags contain at least 40% postconsumer recycled content (or 20% for bags holding ≤8 pounds). It directly affects grocery stores (defined as self-service retail establishments over 2,500 sq ft selling food for off-site consumption). The key mechanism requires these paper bags to meet specific recycled content standards set by prior legislation (P.L.2021, c.391), replacing a previous ban on all single-use paper bags. This change permits paper bags as an alternative to plastic while ensuring they meet minimum recycled content requirements.

Maddy summaryAJR 184 designates May 6th of each year as "Nurse's Day" in New Jersey to recognize nurses' contributions to healthcare. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public acknowledgment of nurses' work. It does not create new laws or change existing policies, but formally honors the nursing profession's role in patient care and community health. This commemorative resolution affects all New Jersey nurses, including the 141,000 registered nurses and 23,400 licensed practical nurses in the state.