Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans sold in New Jersey - including hospital service, medical service, health maintenance organization (HMO), individual, group, and employer-sponsored plans - to cover genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. It directly affects individuals enrolled in these plans by ensuring coverage for this specific cancer risk testing without cost-sharing. The law mandates that positive test results for these genes qualify as "positive genetic testing" under existing law, enabling further necessary testing. This policy change applies to all policies delivered, issued, or renewed in New Jersey on or after the effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires building owners with cooling towers to register them with the Department of Health, conduct quarterly inspections and testing for contaminants and Legionella bacteria, and maintain proper cleaning and disinfection schedules. Owners must register new cooling towers before operation and existing towers within 30 days of the law's effective date, and must clean and disinfect towers within 48 hours if test results indicate maintenance issues or within 24 hours for serious health threats. Building owners must annually certify compliance by November 1 and maintain records of inspections, tests, and maintenance for three years. Non-compliance can result in civil penalties up to $10,000 for violations causing serious injury or death, or criminal charges for willful violations. The bill directly affects building owners who operate cooling towers, which are part of recirculated water systems in buildings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurers to cover mammograms for women starting at age 18, rather than the current age 40 requirement. It also mandates coverage for additional imaging tests like ultrasounds, MRIs, or 3D mammograms when medically necessary based on breast density, abnormal results, or risk factors such as family history of breast cancer. The coverage applies to all health insurance plans in New Jersey, including individual, group, and state health benefit plans, requiring insurers to cover these services to the same extent as other medical conditions. Insurers can still review medical necessity for additional tests through utilization review processes.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A437 provides civil liability immunity to first responders who forcibly enter property during emergencies. It directly affects volunteer and paid emergency personnel - including firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, hospital staff, and college police officers - when they enter homes, businesses, or structures without permission. The immunity applies only if responders have a good faith belief entry is needed for emergency medical care or to prevent imminent harm, and no property occupant responds to requests within a reasonable time. This protection does not cover willful or wanton acts and does not apply to vehicle operation during emergency services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most landlords in New Jersey to notify tenants if work on adjacent properties (such as construction or demolition) might cause damage or hazards to their rental unit, or if the landlord plans to conduct such work themselves. Landlords must provide written notice within five business days of receiving written notice about the work, using mail, posted notices, or electronic delivery. Failure to provide this notice could result in a penalty of up to $200 per offense, enforced through local courts. The requirement does not apply to landlords of small properties (e.g., owner-occupied homes with two or fewer units) or certain seasonal rentals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that when appointing members to state boards, commissions, or similar bodies established by law, the appointing official (such as the Governor, Senate President, or Assembly Speaker) must prioritize achieving racial and gender diversity that reflects New Jersey’s population. The goal of diversity becomes a primary consideration for all appointments made after the bill’s effective date, unless it conflicts with specific circumstances or the law creating the body. The bill defines "gender" to include gender identity and "race" as based on physical characteristics or shared ancestry. This policy change directly affects how officials select members for these state entities, aiming to improve representation without mandating specific quotas.

Maddy summaryThis bill criminalizes individuals who falsely claim ownership or possession of a residential property to rent it out or gain a benefit without the owner's consent. It targets "imposter landlords" who advertise rentals they don't legally control, making such actions a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine). The law does not apply to legitimate tenants, subtenants, or real estate professionals acting in good faith with a client's verified occupancy rights. It also explicitly excludes online platforms from liability under federal Section 230. Violations would also trigger New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act, allowing for triple damages and attorney fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's wiretap law to allow law enforcement to obtain court-approved wiretap orders for investigating four specific crimes: luring or enticing a child, identity theft, stalking, and third or fourth degree cyber-harassment. It adds these offenses to the existing list of crimes for which wiretaps may be authorized, requiring law enforcement to still demonstrate probable cause to a judge. The policy change affects law enforcement agencies and individuals suspected of committing these crimes, without altering the standard judicial approval process. This update aligns wiretap authorization with modern digital and interpersonal crimes while maintaining existing legal safeguards.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a four-year "New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program" within the Department of Education to provide funding for schools. It directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and "renaissance schools" (a New Jersey term for publicly funded alternative schools) seeking to expand STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education. The program awards competitive grants for three specific areas: project-based learning (student-led STEM projects), afterschool STEM (after-class programs like clubs), and out-of-school STEM (non-classroom activities like workshops). Grants must supplement, not replace, existing STEM funding, and schools must submit detailed plans for program design, student recruitment, teacher support, and long-term sustainability. Funding comes from annual state appropriations and private donations, administered through a new "STEM Scholars Grant Fund."

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's child tax credit to include taxpayers with children aged six through eleven, currently only covering children under six. Eligibility remains tied to New Jersey taxable income of $80,000 or less, with credits ranging from $200 to $1,000 based on income levels (e.g., $1,000 for income under $30,000). The change applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2023, and does not alter existing income thresholds or refundability rules. It directly affects New Jersey resident taxpayers with children in this age group who meet the income criteria.