Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryAJR 59 designates November each year as "Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation encouraging public education about the link between diabetes (affecting over 29 million Americans) and cardiovascular disease (the leading cause of death for people with type 2 diabetes). It aims to improve public understanding of this connection, particularly for communities disproportionately impacted like African American and Hispanic/Latino populations in New Jersey. This is a symbolic resolution with no new funding or policy changes.

Maddy summaryAJR 69 is a joint resolution designating March 31 of each year as "Cesar Chavez Day" in New Jersey. The bill commemorates the birth anniversary of Cesar Chavez, a farm worker advocate who co-founded the United Farm Workers union and championed nonviolent labor rights for agricultural workers. It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the day with appropriate activities. This resolution, which takes effect immediately, honors Chavez's legacy as a labor leader whose work led to California's 1975 Agricultural Labor Relations Act - the only U.S. law guaranteeing farm workers the right to unionize. The designation aligns New Jersey with nine states and federal recognition of March 31 as a day to celebrate Chavez's contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends military service credit for compensation purposes to noncertificated school district employees (like administrative or support staff), who currently do not receive this benefit. It provides equivalent service credit for active military duty (including training or selective service) toward employment increments, capped at four increments - matching the existing benefit for certificated employees (e.g., teachers). The change applies only to employees hired on or after the bill’s effective date. It does not affect existing leave policies or reduce current benefits for other types of leave.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly protect individuals from discrimination based on membership in a labor organization. It expands the definition of "labor organization" to include any group formed for collective bargaining or mutual aid among employees, and adds membership in such organizations to the list of protected characteristics. This means employers, labor organizations, and others cannot discriminate against employees or job applicants based on their membership in a labor union or employee representation committee. The law already protects people from discrimination based on characteristics like race, gender, and disability; this bill extends that protection to include labor organization membership.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A4169 bill establishes a nine-member task force within the Department of Health to study health care needs and barriers faced by LGBTQI+ individuals, including transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex people. The task force will review current state/federal health policies, assess existing services and medical training, and identify ways to improve access and reduce discrimination in health care. Composed of health officials, community advocates, and legislative appointees, it must submit recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year. The task force expires upon report submission, with no funding provided for its operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates programs to assist businesses owned by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans in New Jersey. It establishes certification requirements for these businesses (requiring at least 51% ownership/control by members of these groups) and allows the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to waive bonding requirements to help these businesses compete for contracts. The bill also permits counties, municipalities, and school boards to establish set-aside programs for these businesses, requiring them to publish annual reports on their progress toward goals for awarding contracts to certified businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities receiving state funding to train specific staff members ("responsible employees") on handling reports of sexual harassment or violence from students. It defines these employees as faculty, campus police, administrators, health staff, resident advisors, and others likely to witness or receive such reports. The training mandates that staff explain confidentiality limits to victims, respond appropriately, and report incidents - occurring on campus, at off-campus events, or via electronic communication - to the institution. The college must then investigate all reported incidents and take appropriate action to resolve them.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Resolution AR 124 is a symbolic statement condemning the Russian Federation and Vladimir Putin for actions leading to the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. It specifically references Navalny's poisoning in 2020, his subsequent arrest and imprisonment under harsh conditions, and his death in a Russian prison on February 16, 2024. The resolution has no binding effect or new policy changes; it merely expresses the state's condemnation and directs copies to U.S. officials and the Russian government. This is a procedural resolution, not a law imposing new requirements or funding.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A4120 prohibits public libraries (including county, regional, and municipal types) and school districts from banning or restricting access to books based on political or religious views. It requires these entities to adopt the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights or a similar policy explicitly banning such restrictions. Noncompliant libraries risk losing state library aid, while noncompliant school districts could face withheld education funding. The law explicitly states it does not require libraries or schools to purchase specific books for their collections.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits large online retailers (with $1 million+ annual sales) and major retailers (over 75,000 sq ft with 50+ employees) in New Jersey from using shipping boxes larger than twice the volume of the product being shipped. It requires retailers to use appropriately sized boxes for consumer deliveries, aiming to reduce packaging waste. Violations carry civil penalties of $250-$500 per offense, with daily violations treated as separate offenses. Enforcement is authorized for state environmental and consumer protection agencies.