Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3256) requires restaurants to clearly disclose any mandatory gratuity fee to customers. It mandates that the fee be visible on menus, at the restaurant entrance, on the customer's bill, and on the restaurant's website. Restaurants that fail to disclose the fee face fines of $1,000 for the first violation, $2,500 for the second, and $5,000 for the third or subsequent offenses, with each day of violation counted separately. The law directly affects restaurants operating in New Jersey and ensures customers are informed about mandatory service charges before paying.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes a new "Clean Slate" process that allows individuals with certain criminal convictions to automatically request expungement without needing to file a separate petition. The law primarily affects people who have completed their sentences and paid any required fines but may still face barriers due to unpaid financial assessments or other minor delays. Key provisions include granting expungements even if court-ordered financial assessments remain unpaid due to reasons other than willful noncompliance, while transferring the debt collection responsibility to the State Treasurer. Additionally, the bill permits courts to grant expungements before the standard waiting period ends if a person has substantially complied with payment plans or faces compelling circumstances preventing full payment. This legislation aims to streamline the legal process by reducing administrative burdens and providing clearer pathways for record clearance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires property owners of hotels and multi-unit buildings with two or more floors (excluding small owner-occupied homes) to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities during elevator outages. Specifically, owners must restore elevator service within two hours or provide alternative access (like evacuation chairs, ramps, or stairlifts) if elevators are out longer. Owners must also immediately notify residents of outages and estimated repair times. Violations carry daily penalties up to $2,500 for ongoing issues, with a grant program available to help cover costs for accessibility equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-1950) requires all general and special hospitals in New Jersey to adopt evidence-based protocols for early sepsis recognition and treatment. The protocols must include distinct guidelines for adult and pediatric patients, covering screening, treatment goals, infection source identification, and antibiotic timing, while specifying cases where treatment isn’t appropriate (e.g., palliative care). Hospitals must train relevant staff, submit protocols to the Department of Health for approval within 120 days of enactment, and annually report data to track adherence and mortality rates. These protocols aim to improve outcomes for sepsis patients, a condition that causes over 28% of deaths in New Jersey and is the eighth-leading cause of death in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4160) creates a new Chief Executive Nurse position within New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH). The role requires a master's degree in nursing or higher plus significant nursing experience, and the appointee must work full-time for the DOH Commissioner. The Chief Executive Nurse will assist the Commissioner on nursing matters, collect data on nursing practices, consult with nurses and healthcare facilities about regulations affecting patient care, and evaluate nursing trends. The position takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in New Jersey to recognize the contributions and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and non-binary individuals. It formally establishes this month-long observance and respectfully urges public officials and citizens to commemorate it with appropriate activities. The resolution mirrors similar federal proclamations and aligns with New Jersey's commitment to inclusivity and equality.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates October as "Lead Poisoning Awareness Month" in New Jersey to promote public understanding of lead exposure risks. It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing this month and aims to highlight screening methods and ways to minimize lead exposure. The resolution does not change laws or funding but serves as a symbolic measure to draw attention to the health dangers of lead for children and adults.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Holistic Representation Model" statewide within the Office of the Public Defender to expand a pilot program that previously operated in three counties. The law requires each regional office to form teams for eligible clients that pair a public defender attorney with a non-attorney client services specialist. These specialists are tasked with connecting individuals to resources for mental health, substance abuse, housing, employment, and other life challenges while attorneys focus on legal defense. The act also mandates the creation of databases to track community resources and requires all team members to maintain client confidentiality.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits payment card networks from charging interchange fees based on a percentage of transaction amounts for both credit and debit cards. The law specifically targets fees that include taxes or tips, preventing networks from calculating charges on the total gross amount rather than just the base purchase price. Additionally, the bill sets strict limits on fees charged for charitable donations, allowing only very small fixed percentages for such transactions. These rules directly affect payment processors, banks, and merchants by restricting how interchange fees can be structured and calculated.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $140 for low-income residents in nursing homes, state/county psychiatric hospitals, and state developmental centers. It directly affects eligible residents who receive medical assistance under New Jersey’s Medicaid program but are not eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The allowance is intended for personal discretionary spending on items like phone calls, meals out, clothing, or hobbies. The amount will automatically increase annually starting January 1 after enactment, adjusted by the same percentage as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.