Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryAJR 144 is a symbolic resolution designating June of each year as "Gun Violence Awareness Month" in New Jersey. It does not create new laws or policies but requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and organizations to observe the month with awareness activities. The resolution cites statistics on gun violence impacts (like CDC data on firearm-related deaths) to support the designation, which directly affects all New Jersey residents through state recognition of the issue. This is a purely procedural resolution with no binding legislative effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities and school boards to record all public meetings (including emergency meetings) with video and post the recordings on their official websites. It mandates that these recordings be available to the public at the same time as meeting minutes, with only the portions corresponding to public minutes released for closed meetings. The law updates the Open Public Meetings Act to enforce this recording and posting requirement, ensuring greater public access to meeting proceedings. The policy change applies directly to local governments and school districts across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 15-member Interagency Council on Menopause within New Jersey's Department of Health. The council includes 3 Department of Health officials (ex officio) and 12 public members appointed by the Governor, such as individuals with menopause experience, healthcare providers, researchers, and advocates. Its key duties include promoting evidence-based menopause care, creating multilingual educational resources for health providers, supporting research, and developing state-supported treatment services. The council must report annually to the Governor and Legislature on its findings and recommendations regarding menopause care access and quality. This bill directly affects New Jersey residents experiencing menopause and the state's healthcare system.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Moose's Law," prohibits people convicted of animal cruelty offenses (in New Jersey or other jurisdictions) from owning pets or working/volunteering at animal-related businesses like pet stores, shelters, veterinary clinics, or animal breeding operations. It requires these businesses to conduct criminal background checks on employees and volunteers to ensure they haven't been convicted of animal cruelty. Courts can order pet forfeiture for offenders and prohibit pet ownership for periods of at least two years, or longer based on offense severity. The bill exempts farms, livestock operations, and academic research institutions from these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3741) protects tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking from housing discrimination. Landlords cannot terminate a tenancy, refuse to renew a lease, or deny a rental application based on a tenant’s victim status or prior lease termination under the New Jersey Safe Housing Act (P.L.2008, c.111). Tenants may provide documentation like restraining orders, medical records, or certification from domestic violence specialists to invoke these protections. Violating this law makes landlords liable for civil damages, court costs, and attorney fees. The bill amends existing tenant protection statutes (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-53 and 2A:18-61.1) to explicitly prohibit housing discrimination based on victim status.

Maddy summaryAJR 152 designates July 3 of each year as "CROWN Act Day" in New Jersey. This commemorative resolution honors the state's 2019 passage of the CROWN Act, which prohibits hair-based discrimination in workplaces and schools. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of this day to raise awareness about hair discrimination. It is a symbolic designation with no new legal requirements or policy changes.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A3851 requires public schools to implement evidence-based early reading instruction for students in preschool through third grade. It mandates the Commissioner of Education to develop a specific literacy plan within one year, emphasizing phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension - while prohibiting "balanced literacy" and the "MSV" three-cueing model. School districts must adopt this instruction starting in the second full school year after the bill takes effect, and teacher preparation programs must require six credits of evidence-based reading training for certification. The bill directly affects New Jersey public schools, educators, and teacher training programs by changing curriculum standards and certification requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the use of motorized skateboards, including hoverboards, by prohibiting anyone under 16 from operating them. It requires all operators to wear a properly fitted helmet meeting safety standards and limits operation to speeds of 10 miles per hour or less. Businesses selling or renting motorized skateboards must post warning signs about the age restriction and helmet requirement. Parents or guardians of minors violating these rules may be fined up to $100 for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects young skateboard users, retailers, and operators throughout New Jersey.

Maddy summaryAJR 135 is a symbolic resolution designating September as "Deaf Awareness Month" and the last full week of September as "Deaf Awareness Week" in New Jersey. It does not create new laws or requirements but asks the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance. The resolution aims to raise awareness about the deaf community, which includes approximately 850,000 New Jersey residents with hearing loss, and aligns with global recognition of deaf culture and rights. It is purely ceremonial and affects all New Jersey residents through increased public education efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all licensed physicians in New Jersey to complete two hours of approved implicit bias training every two years. It directly affects physicians by mandating they learn to recognize and reduce unconscious biases that may impact patient care. The training must cover current research on bias in medicine and strategies to improve health outcomes. The Department of Health will establish approved training programs within 30 days, and the requirement takes effect immediately.