Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill increases protections for New Jersey residents facing debt collection. It raises the homestead exemption (protecting primary homes from forced sale) to the greater of $300,000 or a county-specific median home value (capped at $600,000), doubling to $1.2 million for seniors/disabled residents. Household goods exempt from seizure rise from $1,000 to $15,000, and bank account exemptions increase to $10,000 (single) or $15,000 (joint). All exemption amounts will automatically adjust every three years based on regional inflation data.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every New Jersey county to install at least one drive-up ballot drop box at a location designed for accessibility (with features like turning radius, curb cuts, and handicap parking). It mandates that all ballot drop boxes be clearly marked as "Official Ballot Drop Box" and display specific information in required languages, including tampering penalties, a voter hotline, "no postage needed" notice, county-specific ballot acceptance rules, and the 8:00 p.m. Election Day deadline. The bill also requires counties to post electioneering restrictions (no political activity within 100 feet) and ensures compliance with accessibility standards. These changes apply directly to county election boards, affecting how voters deposit mail-in ballots statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September of each year as "Menopause Awareness Month" in New Jersey. It directly affects women in New Jersey aged 40-59 (approximately 1.2 million residents in 2019), raising awareness about menopause - a natural stage marked by permanent cessation of menstrual periods after 12 months without them. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public awareness activities during September to address symptoms like hot flashes and emotional changes, while promoting open discussion about menopause. It aligns with a national observance but does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public agencies receiving state funds for public work to publicly post on their websites a monthly breakdown of how much of those funds was used for contracts with minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses versus other businesses. If an agency lacks a website, it must submit the data to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, which will post and update it monthly. The Department of Labor must also annually summarize this information in a report to the Governor and Legislature. The requirement applies to all state and local government entities, including departments, boards, and public institutions, but excludes contracts for goods or products.

Maddy summaryAJR 115 designates May of each year as Military Spouse Appreciation Month in New Jersey, symbolically recognizing military spouses for their support during deployments and relocations. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with activities honoring these spouses. It directly affects military spouses in New Jersey by formally acknowledging their contributions, though it does not create new benefits or funding. The bill is purely ceremonial, focusing on recognition rather than policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires developers to include sufficient onsite parking spaces for tractor trailers at new "large warehouses" (defined as facilities over 100,000 square feet used for storage/loading/unloading) as a condition of preliminary site plan approval. The parking must prevent overnight overflow onto neighboring properties or public roads between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Municipalities may create zoning ordinances that allow reduced parking requirements if they address overflow issues. It amends New Jersey’s zoning law to mandate this provision for large warehouse developments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires natural gas utilities and other heating fuel suppliers in New Jersey to annually purchase "clean heat credits" representing greenhouse gas emissions reductions from qualifying clean heating measures. Suppliers must cover 5% of emissions in the first year after implementation, increasing to 20% by 2030, 50% by 2040, and 80% by 2050. Property owners who install eligible measures - such as heat pumps, energy efficiency upgrades, or renewable energy systems - generate credits for each ton of avoided emissions, which they sell to suppliers. Suppliers may also pay an alternative compliance fee into the Global Warming Solutions Fund instead of buying credits.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3403) changes when nursing licenses issued by the New Jersey Board of Nursing expire. Instead of renewing on fixed dates, licenses will now expire on the nurse's birthday during the second year after issuance. If a birthday doesn't align with a specific calendar day (e.g., February 29), the license expires on the last day of that birth month. It applies only to new licenses issued after the bill takes effect (30 days post-enactment) and affects registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and other nursing professionals certified by the Board. The two-year validity period remains unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3371) removes the current 72-hour waiting period for marriage and civil union licenses in New Jersey, requiring licenses to be issued immediately upon application. It directly affects couples applying for these licenses by eliminating the mandatory delay that currently applies, except in emergency cases (which the bill removes as a separate exception). The key change amends state law to state that licenses "shall be issued immediately upon filing of the application," while maintaining the existing 30-day validity period for issued licenses. This is a substantive policy change affecting all applicants, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3391) requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies (including police departments, sheriffs' offices, and correctional facilities), the State Parole Board, and the New Jersey Transit Police to adopt written maternity policies for officers who provide proof of pregnancy. The policies must include protections against pregnancy discrimination, equal treatment as temporarily disabled officers, procedures for light-duty assignments based on medical needs, exemption from firearms training during pregnancy, and accommodations for uniform or equipment modifications. These policies apply directly to pregnant law enforcement officers, parole officers, and corrections officers. The bill mandates compliance with state and federal laws and takes effect seven months after enactment.