Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A947 amends stalking laws to specifically protect adoptive parents and children from unwanted contact by individuals whose parental rights to the child have been terminated. The bill defines "course of conduct" to include repeated contact with an adoptive child by a terminated parent contrary to the adoptive parent's instructions, making such behavior a stalking violation. Courts can now order restraining orders prohibiting all contact (including electronic communication), restricting the terminated parent from the adoptive parent's residence or workplace, and requiring monetary compensation for harm caused. These protections apply when the terminated parent commits acts like assault, harassment, or stalking against the adoptive family, with violations treated as criminal contempt.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2461) adds a $3,000 annual deduction to New Jersey's gross income tax for surviving spouses of veterans who meet specific criteria. It directly affects surviving spouses (widows/widowers) whose veteran spouse died while on active duty, was honorably discharged, or was released under honorable circumstances from military service. The deduction is added to New Jersey's tax code as a personal exemption under N.J.S.54A:3-1, subsection (b)(8), and applies only to those who have not remarried. The change provides tax relief to this group without altering existing veteran tax benefits for living veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year Animal Advocate Program within New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). It allows courts to appoint an advocate in specific criminal cases involving animal welfare - such as animal cruelty (R.S.4:22-17) or dog fighting (P.L.2015, c.85) - to represent the animal's best interests. The advocate monitors the case, reviews records from animal control and veterinarians, shares information with attorneys, and recommends placement or care to the court. The program expires after two years, requiring the AOC to submit a report on implementation and recommendations for continuation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning Affairs (LGBTQ+ Commission) within New Jersey's Division on Civil Rights. The commission will develop recommendations for laws and policies affecting LGBTQ+ individuals, review state agency practices in areas like health, education, and employment, and identify resources such as scholarships and funding opportunities. It will consist of 17 members, including agency representatives, a healthcare expert specializing in LGBTQ+ health, an LGBTQ+ individual, a parent or guardian, an attorney, and a social service agency representative. The commission must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature with its findings to improve state policies and programs for LGBTQ+ residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to make a list of prescription drugs with FDA "black box" warnings easily accessible on its website. Black box warnings are the most serious safety alerts the FDA mandates for drugs that may cause severe or life-threatening side effects. The Department must either post the list directly or provide a link to the FDA's public list if the FDA already makes it available online. This change aims to give patients and healthcare providers quick access to critical drug safety information currently difficult to find through scattered sources.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school teachers to complete two hours of cultural competence training every two years as part of their existing professional development requirements. The training must cover topics like personal awareness, classroom microaggressions, and implicit bias to help teachers better support students from different cultural backgrounds. It directly affects all licensed teachers in New Jersey public schools. The requirement integrates into current professional development rules without creating new funding or programs. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Interagency Council on Homelessness within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to replace the existing Homelessness Prevention Task Force. The council, composed of 24 members including state agency leaders and public representatives (with at least two members who have experienced homelessness and two with housing expertise), will advise the Office of Homelessness Prevention and develop recommendations for coordinating services, identifying funding, and creating permanent housing solutions. It must produce an annual report for the Governor and Legislature detailing its findings and proposals. The council directly affects state agencies, homeless service providers, advocacy groups, and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness through its collaborative policy development process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to create detailed diversity plans with specific goals for recruiting and retaining diverse faculty, staff, and students, aligned with local or state demographics. Institutions must submit annual reports tracking enrollment, retention, graduation, and certification rates broken down by race, ethnicity, and gender, plus describe support programs for underrepresented students. Each campus must appoint a diversity ambassador to oversee implementation, provide annual bias training for hiring committees, and increase consideration of candidates from underrepresented groups in faculty searches. The state education secretary will also develop guidance for inclusive hiring practices, to be shared with all public institutions by November 15 each year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to study why high school graduates choose out-of-state colleges instead of staying in-state. The study will survey students, review academic/socioeconomic factors of those who leave versus stay, compare out-of-state college quality to NJ institutions, and consult guidance counselors. It also examines whether New Jersey's small size or students' desire for independence influences their choices. The Secretary must submit a report with findings and potential solutions to the Governor and Legislature within one year. The bill does not change current policies but aims to gather data to inform future decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a COVID-19 Memorial Commission within New Jersey's Department of Health to design and build a memorial honoring state residents who died from the pandemic. The commission, composed of 11 members including state officials and appointed public representatives (with at least one having personal pandemic experience), will select the memorial's location, design, and funding approach. A dedicated "COVID-19 Memorial Fund" will be created in the Department of the Treasury to collect donations and appropriations for the memorial's construction and long-term maintenance. The commission will operate until six months after the memorial is completed.