Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2663) allows New Jersey taxpayers to deduct charitable contributions of food from business inventory on their state gross income tax return. It directly affects businesses that donate food (meeting quality standards but not readily marketable due to appearance, age, or other conditions) to IRS-qualified charities. The deduction mirrors the federal tax deduction for such contributions as it existed in 2013, applying regardless of whether the taxpayer claims the federal itemized deduction. The policy change simplifies state tax treatment for businesses donating excess food inventory to charities, aligning New Jersey's law with federal practice.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 63) is a non-binding request urging the U.S. President and Congress to pass federal legislation granting amnesty and creating an 8-year path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. It directly addresses the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S., citing their economic contributions and current lack of legal status. The resolution emphasizes that such legislation would improve economic outcomes, reduce exploitation, and integrate immigrants into society - referencing the 1986 Immigration Reform Act as a historical precedent. It does not create new law but formally calls on federal lawmakers to act.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects insurers and insurance producers who provide coverage to cannabis-related businesses operating legally under New Jersey law. It prohibits state and local agencies from penalizing, discouraging, or terminating insurance services for these businesses, or taking adverse actions against policies solely because a business is cannabis-related. Insurers and their employees are shielded from liability under state law for engaging in this business or investing income from it. The bill does not require insurers to offer such coverage or override existing insurance regulations. It directly affects cannabis businesses, their employees, and property owners leasing to them.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets specific criteria for issuing Amber Alerts when a child is abducted by a family member, requiring law enforcement to consider factors like past violence, threats of harm, domestic violence history, and the abductor's mental state or substance use. It automatically triggers an Amber Alert for stranger abductions, as the child is deemed to be at high risk. The bill mandates training for law enforcement and establishes protocols for media, transportation authorities, and social media to broadcast alerts with child and abductor details. It codifies Attorney General recommendations following a 2010 case where an Amber Alert wasn't issued in a family abduction, clarifying when such alerts should activate.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits cloud computing service providers (like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 used by schools) from disclosing student data collected through their services to anyone outside the school - such as third parties or advertisers. It directly affects all public, private, and charter schools in New Jersey, as well as the cloud providers serving them. Key provisions require providers to certify compliance in writing, limit data processing solely to school operations, and impose civil penalties ($5,000 for first offenses, $10,000 for repeat) for violations. The law applies to all student educational records, including emails, attendance, grades, health data, and individualized education plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) to conduct a 12-month study of cybersecurity infrastructure across public entities (state/local governments) and private businesses operating in New Jersey. During the study, these entities must report cybersecurity incidents and investigations to the NJCCIC for 12 months. After the study, the NJCCIC must develop mandatory cybersecurity guidelines for all covered entities, which must be implemented within one year. Failure to implement the guidelines may result in civil penalties set by the Department of Homeland Security and Preparedness.

Maddy summaryBill A2440 requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to add specific language to the annual Truth-in-Renting Guide about housing discrimination related to rental subsidies. It mandates that the guide explicitly state it is unlawful for landlords to refuse to rent to tenants using housing vouchers (like Section 8) or to advertise such refusal, as these qualify as a "source of lawful income" protected under New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination. The bill adds this detail to the existing guide, which currently covers general anti-discrimination protections but lacks this specific information about voucher discrimination. This change directly affects landlords, tenants, and the public by clarifying prohibited practices in rental transactions. The requirement applies to the guide's annual update, which is posted online in English and Spanish.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases accidental death benefits for firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, hazardous materials responders, and fire instructors who die while on duty in New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It raises the survivor pension from 50% to 70% of the member's last-year compensation (or $50,000, whichever is greater) for surviving spouses and children, and adds retroactive health insurance coverage for spouses and children. The bill also ensures beneficiaries receive any difference between previous benefits and the new amount, dating back to January 1, 2021. It aligns PERS accidental death benefits with those already provided under the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to develop and provide training materials for law enforcement on interacting with hearing impaired individuals, including their right to a qualified interpreter. All state, county, municipal, and campus police departments must use these materials for annual officer training. Additionally, these departments must contract with qualified interpreter agencies capable of responding within two hours of a request. The bill directly affects all law enforcement agencies and campus police across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires motor vehicle dealers to pay the full remaining loan balance on a customer's trade-in vehicle within 15 days of taking possession. Dealers must provide proof of payment to the customer upon request. Violations carry penalties of up to $1,000 for the first offense and $2,000 for subsequent offenses, plus any late fees incurred by the customer. The bill directly affects car buyers trading in vehicles with outstanding loans and dealers handling such transactions.