Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates July of each year as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to raise awareness of businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans, and LGBTQ+ individuals, highlighting their economic contributions. The resolution does not create new programs or funding but aims to encourage government and community leaders to focus on supporting diverse-owned businesses. It follows existing data showing diverse-owned businesses represent significant portions of New Jersey's economy (e.g., 21.7% owned by people of color, 39.6% by women) while facing challenges like limited capital access.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives initial application and license issuance fees for veterans and their spouses (including domestic partners or civil union partners) who move to New Jersey and seek to practice a profession they are already licensed to practice in another state with equivalent requirements. It applies to professional and occupational licenses issued by boards under New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs. The waiver covers only the first-time application fee when the applicant holds a current license from another jurisdiction with comparable licensing standards. Veterans are defined as those with an honorable military discharge from U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or reserve components.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A4500 requires nonprofits, public entities (like municipalities), and businesses receiving over $500 in state economic development subsidies to publicly disclose this fact in their promotional materials. The law mandates that recipients include a notice on written materials distributed to media, placards at public events, and when providing free goods/services to the public. It defines "economic development subsidies" broadly to include grants, tax credits, and loans (but excludes regular government contracts), and exempts public meetings under open-meeting laws. The bill takes effect for the 2025 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to deduct union dues paid to labor organizations from their gross income when filing state taxes. It directly affects individuals who pay dues to labor organizations, including public employees represented by such groups. The key provision requires taxpayers to provide verification of dues paid to the Division of Taxation to claim the deduction. The bill defines "union dues" broadly to include all required membership fees, and "labor organization" as any group addressing work conditions like wages or grievances. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey to pay for high school equivalency exams (such as GED, Hi-SET, or TASC) for low-income individuals, defined as those living in households with income at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. The State Board of Education must establish a program within six months to verify income and cover the cost of one exam per person. Funding would come from a specific allocation within the existing Workforce Development Partnership Fund, which is already designated for workforce training and education programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement that written palimony agreements must be made with the advice of counsel. Palimony refers to financial support promises between partners in a non-marital relationship, either during the relationship or after it ends. The bill amends New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 25:1-5) to align with a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that found the prior counsel requirement unconstitutional. It directly affects individuals entering such agreements by allowing them to be binding without mandatory legal advice.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public employers to provide free cancer screenings every three years for firefighters who are eligible for the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) but have waived enrollment in it. The screenings must cover 11 specific cancers, including colon, lung, and breast cancer, and must be conducted without any out-of-pocket cost to the firefighter. Employers can be reimbursed by the state up to $1,250 per firefighter per three-year period for these screenings. This extends existing coverage and reimbursement requirements to firefighters who are eligible for SHBP but chose not to enroll, ensuring they receive the same preventive care as those enrolled in the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to grant a 12-week payment pause on NJCLASS student loans for borrowers who become parents. To qualify, borrowers must submit proof of a child's birth or adoption within 120 days, with the deferment starting upon receipt of that proof and ending 12 weeks later. Interest will not accrue during this 12-week period. The policy directly affects eligible NJCLASS student loan borrowers who have recently become parents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2419) prohibits New Jersey-based commercial mobile service providers (like phone companies) and mobile app developers from sharing customers' GPS location data with third parties without explicit consent. It requires app developers to display a clear, bold notice asking users to actively agree ("I agree to allow my location data to be disclosed to a third party") before sharing location data. Exceptions apply for disclosures required by law, law enforcement, or court orders. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under New Jersey law, with fines up to $20,000 per offense. The bill directly affects all mobile app users in New Jersey whose location data is collected by apps or phone services.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt certain plastic materials processed at advanced plastic processing facilities from New Jersey's solid waste disposal and recycling laws. Specifically, plastics transported to and processed using chemical methods like gasification, pyrolysis, or solvolysis would no longer be classified as "solid waste" under state law. The exemption does not apply to plastics labeled with codes 1 (PETE) or 2 (HDPE). Advanced plastic processing facilities would still be subject to environmental regulations governing air and water pollution. This change would primarily affect plastic processors using these advanced chemical conversion methods.