Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2482) would allow New Jersey residents to obtain special license plates featuring the American Red Cross. Vehicle owners applying for these plates would pay a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual renewal fee (in addition to standard registration costs). The collected fees would fund the "American Red Cross License Plate Fund," which would be appropriated annually to support the Red Cross's disaster relief and human services programs. The Motor Vehicle Commission would reimburse its administrative costs from these fees before depositing the remainder into the fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1910) prohibits life insurance companies in New Jersey from discriminating against applicants or policyholders based on transgender status or gender identity information. It amends existing law to explicitly ban unfair practices like denying coverage, charging higher rates, or refusing applications due to: (1) transgender status (including gender dysphoria diagnoses or related treatments), or (2) inconsistencies between a person's gender identity and their sex assigned at birth or documentation. The law applies directly to transgender individuals seeking or renewing life insurance policies. It aligns with New Jersey’s broader anti-discrimination protections in insurance, requiring insurers to base decisions on actuarial risk, not gender identity.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2068) prohibits retailers from charging higher prices for cash payments when they experience a coin shortage. It specifically applies to in-person retail transactions, excluding phone or online sales, and prevents businesses from discriminating against customers who pay with cash. Violations would be treated as unlawful under the state's consumer fraud law, potentially resulting in fines up to $20,000 for repeat offenses. The law aims to ensure cash remains a fair payment option during supply disruptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide free admission to New Jersey State parks and forests and free parking in designated spaces for veterans who are New Jersey residents. It requires the state to reserve at least two percent of parking spaces (minimum three per park) for veterans at no charge. The bill defines a "veteran" as a resident honorably discharged from U.S. military service, including National Guard, or a disabled veteran as defined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This extends existing free admission benefits, which currently cover seniors, disabled residents, and National Guard members, to include all qualifying veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent unit within New Jersey's Office of Emergency Management to specifically support residents with access and functional needs during disasters. It directly affects people with disabilities, older adults, those with limited English proficiency, limited transportation access, or limited financial resources for disaster preparedness and recovery. The unit will assess needs before, during, and after emergencies; identify statewide resources; ensure access to those resources; and coordinate with local emergency offices to implement best practices across North, Central, and South Jersey. The unit will consist of one full-time supervisor and three full-time planners to serve these populations statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Cannabis Regulatory Commission to create rules for labeling, marketing, and sales of cannabidiol (CBD) products, including health standards, packaging details, and advertising limits. It prohibits selling CBD products to anyone under 21, with penalties of $250 for the first violation and up to $1,000 for repeat offenses. The rules must be based on scientific evidence and ban ads targeting minors or making unverified health claims. Exemptions include FDA-approved CBD products and medical cannabis under existing laws. These regulations apply to commercial CBD products but not to medical use or FDA-licensed items.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all domestic and foreign corporations operating in New Jersey to include demographic details - such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status - for their board members and senior executives in annual reports filed with the State Treasurer. It amends existing statutes to add these specific data points to required reporting forms. The State Treasurer must publish a detailed report every four years starting February 1, 2024, aggregating this demographic data across all covered corporations. The report will show trends over time and overall representation patterns for corporate leadership in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's unemployment benefits rules for workers who leave one job to accept another, but the second job offer is rescinded through no fault of the employee. It allows these workers to receive unemployment benefits in this situation, which was previously uncertain under the law. The bill increases the allowable time period between leaving the first job and the start of the second job from seven days to ten days. This change codifies a 2019 court decision (McClain v. Bd. of Review) that established this right for workers facing rescinded job offers. The bill directly affects workers who experience job offer rescissions without their own fault.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2475) requires all New Jersey public school districts to include Juneteenth education in their Social Studies curriculum. It mandates instruction on four specific points: the June 19, 1865 events in Galveston, Texas; the historical context of delayed emancipation news; Juneteenth's meaning and symbolism; and how communities celebrate it. The Commissioner of Education will provide age-appropriate teaching resources to support this requirement. The law applies to all elementary, middle, and high school students and takes effect for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits to small, newer New Jersey businesses that invest in employee training. Qualified employers (those with under $2.5 million in annual revenue, operating in New Jersey for fewer than 10 years, and employing people in the state) can claim a 10% credit on training costs - up to $2,000 per employee - against corporate business and gross income taxes. The credit applies only to training programs that improve job skills and lead to industry-recognized credentials. Businesses can use this credit for up to five years, and it takes effect for tax periods starting January 1 after enactment.