Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year "Male Teachers of Color Mentorship Pilot Program" in New Jersey, targeting male students of color in their final year of educator preparation programs at participating colleges and male teachers of color currently working in schools. The program pairs each eligible student with a mentor teacher for their final academic year and the first two years of teaching, if hired by the same school district. Mentors receive a $5,000 annual stipend, and participating schools must make a good-faith effort to hire students who receive positive performance reviews. The program requires a final report on effectiveness and is funded with $95,000 from the General Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to pay providers the same rate for certain primary and mental health services as the federal Medicare program, starting July 1, 2023. It applies to services provided by physicians in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, or OB/GYN; advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, midwives; and mental health professionals like psychologists and licensed counselors. The law prevents Medicaid reimbursement rates from decreasing below prior year levels and covers both fee-for-service and managed care systems. It also mandates a report within one year on how these rate changes affect access and quality of care for Medicaid beneficiaries, including recommendations for underserved areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state contractors bidding on government contracts to submit reports measuring gender-based pay equity (whether men and women doing similar work are paid equally) and job equality (whether certain job titles are dominated by one gender). It directly affects all businesses seeking state contracts by mandating they evaluate and report on these workplace practices. The state's Division of Purchase and Property will develop standardized reporting tools, assign ratings based on findings, and factor these ratings into contract awards alongside price and other considerations. Exemptions apply for urgent contracts or those funded by federal money where compliance might jeopardize funding. The system takes effect one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all new law enforcement vehicles purchased by New Jersey agencies - clearly marked as police vehicles - to have tinted windows meeting the minimum federal light transmittance standard. It applies only to newly acquired vehicles (not existing ones) and takes effect four months after enactment. The law mandates that these vehicles must have window tinting that allows only the minimum light permitted under federal rules. This policy change directly affects law enforcement agencies purchasing new patrol cars or similar vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing Lifeline Credit Program and Tenants' Lifeline Assistance Program to include water utility bill assistance. Currently, these programs provide a $225 annual credit toward electricity and gas bills for eligible low-income residents who qualify for PAAD, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Social Security disability benefits. The bill amends the relevant laws to explicitly cover water utility bills alongside electricity and gas, ensuring the same $225 credit applies to all three utility types. It directly affects qualifying residents receiving PAAD, SSI, or disability benefits who pay water bills as part of their household expenses. The policy change requires no new eligibility criteria - only extends existing coverage to water utilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create a database of "novice teachers" (new educators with eligibility certificates but no provisional certification) and host three annual regional job fairs. The database will include contact details, employment status, and teaching credentials for school districts to recruit, with teachers able to opt out or limit contact information. Job fairs will connect school districts with novice teachers, educator program students, and certified professionals, with districts paying only nominal fees to cover venue and administrative costs. The database and job fairs aim to help school districts fill staffing vacancies more efficiently.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2454 requires new building service employers to retain current employees for a 90-day transition period following a building service transfer (such as contract termination or ownership change). During this period, employees must be evaluated, and those who perform satisfactorily must be offered continued employment under the new employer's terms. The law applies to workers like janitors, security guards, and maintenance staff in most commercial and residential buildings, but excludes small properties (e.g., buildings under 50 residential units or 100,000 sq. ft. of commercial space). Employers must provide employee lists 15 days before transfers and maintain preferential hiring lists for those not retained during the transition.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retail stores that offer digital coupons (e.g., smartphone or app-based discounts) to also provide in-store alternatives - like paper coupons, kiosks, or direct point-of-sale discounts - delivering identical savings or benefits at the same price. It directly affects retailers selling goods or services who distribute digital coupons, mandating equal access to discounts regardless of how customers access them. Violations carry civil fines up to $250 for a first offense and $500 for repeat violations, enforced by New Jersey’s Division of Consumer Affairs. The law takes effect 12 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3878) establishes a three-year pilot program to help high school students complete the federal financial aid application (FAFSA). It requires participating school districts to provide 12th-grade students and their parents/guardians with clear guidance on FAFSA requirements, including necessary documentation, key terms (like "dependent" or "household size"), eligibility, and deadlines. Schools must offer this information through classroom instruction, counselor sessions, or parent workshops, and provide paper FAFSA forms upon request. The program mandates privacy protections for shared information and requires a final report assessing the pilot's feasibility for statewide expansion. It directly affects 12th-grade students in selected school districts across New Jersey's regions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows current elected officials in New Jersey who are retired public employees under the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to collect both their pension benefits and their full salary for the elected office they hold. It applies only if the pension is not based solely on service in that specific elected office, and no additional retirement contributions are required for the elected office service. The bill is limited to current officeholders (not future retirees) and reverses a 2011 repeal of a similar rule, restoring a prior policy for existing officials.