Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3889) requires courts to mandate domestic violence counseling for individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses or placed on probation/sentence suspension for such offenses. The court must order the defendant to complete counseling provided by a professional with demonstrated expertise in domestic violence, and the defendant must provide documentation of attendance. Completion of counseling is required before a restraining order can be dissolved. The bill applies to all relevant convictions occurring on or after its effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create and distribute interconception care resources for healthcare providers and facilities offering postpartum care. The resources will include evidence-based clinical algorithms to guide risk assessment and management of pregnancy-related complications, plus patient education materials explaining common health issues, treatments, and self-care strategies. These materials must be available in English, Spanish, and other major languages spoken in New Jersey. The goal is to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce complications in future pregnancies by supporting women after childbirth.

Maddy summaryThis bill legalizes for New Jersey residents aged 21 or older the personal cultivation and possession of marijuana plants for recreational use, allowing up to six plants per person (with a household maximum of 12 plants). It also permits qualifying medical patients (21+) or their designated caregivers to grow and possess up to 10 plants for medical use, again with a household limit of 12 plants. The bill removes criminal penalties for these activities, making them non-criminal under state law. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission must establish implementing rules within 90 days of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires doctors and nurse practitioners in family medicine, obstetrics, and gynecology to ask female patients with flu-like or stomach symptoms about their menstrual cycle, recent tampon use, and whether symptoms began during tampon use. Providers must inform patients about toxic shock syndrome symptoms and offer testing if symptoms started while using a tampon during an active or recent menstrual cycle. The law applies to medical visits for influenza or viral gastroenteritis symptoms in these specific healthcare settings. It focuses on early identification of potential toxic shock syndrome cases linked to menstrual product use. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state agencies to provide public-facing forms, applications, and documents in the five most commonly spoken languages in the state (based on the latest federal census data). Agencies must also offer documents in Gujarati, Korean, and Punjabi upon request. It applies to all state departments, commissions, and independent authorities that interact with the public. The law takes effect three months after enactment, with the Secretary of State tasked with creating implementation rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits tax preparation software companies (like TurboTax or free online tools) from charging taxpayers a fee to electronically file New Jersey state tax returns. It directly affects taxpayers who use such software, ensuring they aren’t charged extra for e-filing. The law requires software companies to provide free electronic filing services, with violations punishable by $500 fines for first offenses and $1,000 for repeat violations. Enforcement is handled by the Division of Consumer Affairs, and the rule applies to all tax returns filed for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent task force within New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to implement Lean Six Sigma process improvements across state, county, municipal, and school district government operations. The task force will identify inefficient government processes, prioritize improvements, develop implementation guidelines, and monitor progress for all covered entities. It requires regular reporting to the Governor and Legislature, with recommendations for policy or procedural changes needed to support these efficiency efforts. The goal is to streamline services and reduce costs by applying a standardized private-sector management approach to public sector operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that evidence collected during a sexual assault medical exam, such as DNA samples, be preserved for 10 years from the date of collection. If the victim was a minor at the time of the assault, the evidence must be kept for 10 years after they turn 18. Custodians - including law enforcement, prosecutors, and healthcare facilities - must notify victims within 30 days of evidence collection that it may be destroyed after 10 years and make additional efforts to contact them more than 30 days before disposal. The county prosecutor may authorize destruction after 10 years, but the state can take custody to continue preserving the evidence.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to create pregnancy policies for female officers who have completed probation. It mandates that officers notify supervisors upon confirming a pregnancy, allowing them to continue full duties until medical concerns arise, and prohibits forcing leave or maternity duty without compelling medical or safety reasons. Officers may request temporary reassignment to non-hazardous "maternity duty" (e.g., report writing, radio operation) instead of patrol or firearms training, with specific restrictions on assignments involving physical risk. The policy also outlines uniform modifications, firearm accommodations during pregnancy, and return-to-work procedures including medical documentation and reintegration planning.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students at New Jersey's public colleges and universities to voluntarily donate unused meal plan funds at the end of a semester to a new state Emergency Meal Fund. The fund, created in the Department of State, will transfer all donations directly to the New Jersey Federation of Food Banks for distribution to local food banks statewide. Public institutions must establish clear procedures to verify unused meal plan balances (including both cash and unused meal points) and facilitate these donations. The policy applies to all public higher education institutions offering meal plans and takes effect for the first full academic year after enactment.