Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide all vehicle and licensing services - such as license renewals, registration, and ID cards - in person at every MVC agency location, without mandatory appointments. It mandates walk-in service for all customers (with accommodations when locations aren't fully booked), emergency license printing, and an online scheduling system for commercial driver’s license tests. The MVC must also create and distribute informational brochures (both online and in print) detailing all available services. These changes directly affect MVC customers seeking in-person vehicle and license services across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires newly constructed multiple dwellings (like apartment buildings) and hotels to install monitored carbon monoxide detectors. It specifically applies to new buildings that already have a monitored fire alarm system (which alerts emergency services during a fire). The bill mandates that these buildings must also include a monitored carbon monoxide system - meaning the detector not only sounds an alarm but also automatically notifies the fire department if dangerous carbon monoxide levels are detected. This requirement would take effect after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year "Security Deposit Assistance Pilot Program" in eight New Jersey counties (Passaic, Union, Essex, Hudson, Gloucester, Atlantic, Camden, and Mercer) to help low-income renters pay security deposits. It appropriates $400,000 to create a dedicated fund, allowing eligible households (meeting federal "very low income" criteria) to pay one-twelfth of their security deposit monthly over 12 months instead of a full upfront payment. Landlords cannot refuse tenants for participating, and the program reimburses landlords for tenant lease violations (up to the unpaid deposit amount), with tenants later repaying the fund. The program requires a final evaluation report after three years to determine potential expansion.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for heroin and fentanyl-related crimes by lowering the quantity thresholds that trigger higher offense levels. For example, possessing 10 grams or more of heroin (previously 5 ounces) now constitutes a first-degree crime, while fentanyl-related offenses now require only 5 grams (previously 1 ounce) to reach the highest penalty level. The bill also establishes new criminal offenses for "heroin mixtures" (heroin combined with other controlled substances) and expands drug court eligibility to some first-degree offenders who are not drug distributors, allowing them to enter treatment programs instead of facing prison time. These changes aim to address the growing opioid crisis through both stricter penalties and expanded treatment options.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2449) requires new board members of planned real estate development associations - including homeowners' associations, condominiums, and co-ops - to complete at least three hours of mandatory training within 180 days of starting their term. The training, established by the Commissioner of Community Affairs, covers business practices, legal requirements, budgeting, record keeping, and state resources. Board members who fail to complete the training may be removed by the commissioner. The requirement applies only to the first term of office beginning after the bill takes effect (scheduled for the fifth month following enactment).

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2430) modifies New Jersey law regarding expunged criminal records. It requires businesses that collect and sell criminal record information (like background check services) to regularly update records, delete expunged entries, and inform clients that records are only valid as of the collection date. The bill increases the maximum fine for revealing expunged records from $200 to $2,000, and imposes a $5,000 penalty (or actual damages) on businesses that knowingly share expunged records. It directly affects background check companies and anyone disclosing expunged information, aiming to strengthen enforcement of expungement protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows registered qualifying patients who are 21 years or older to grow up to four mature cannabis plants and four immature plants for their personal medical use at home. Patients must notify the Cannabis Regulatory Commission of their intent to home cultivate and specify who will be authorized to grow the cannabis, with no more than one person allowed to cultivate for a patient at any time. Patients can change their designated home cultivator with 10 days' notice, and any plants not transferred to the new cultivator must be surrendered to law enforcement. The bill also prohibits selling, donating, or distributing home-cultivated cannabis to unauthorized individuals, with penalties including civil fines up to $1,000 and loss of registration with the commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the High Efficiency Accelerated Learning Grant Program to provide high-impact tutoring for students in New Jersey who experienced learning loss during the pandemic. The program targets public school districts, charter schools, and partnerships with nonpublic schools, requiring tutoring in English language arts and math for all grades (pre-K through 12) with specific standards: small groups (max 5 students), at least 3 sessions weekly, led by trained tutors, and using data to monitor progress. Local education providers must apply for grants, with preference given to programs that continue beyond the grant period or partner with teacher preparation programs. The Tutoring Advisory Commission will oversee the program, evaluate its effectiveness, and report to the Governor and Legislature. Underperforming students will be automatically enrolled in the tutoring program, with parents able to opt their children out.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to create a centralized database tracking habitability violations in rental properties, including fire safety, health, and utility issues reported to landlords or municipalities. The database will categorize defects by severity (non-hazardous to immediately hazardous) and duration, and its contents will be used as evidence in court during landlord-tenant disputes. Landlords who fail to include tenant attorney fee clauses in leases face $500 penalties for first offenses and $1,000 for repeat violations, with tenants also able to sue for these penalties. Additionally, the bill removes a previous exclusion that barred public housing tenants from proactively suing landlords for habitability issues under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows state employees who were temporarily working at New Jersey psychiatric hospitals or correctional facilities before joining the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to apply for accidental disability benefits if injured during that temporary employment. It deems injuries sustained while performing duties (e.g., as nurses, correction officers, or healthcare workers) at those facilities as occurring "during membership" for PERS benefit eligibility, even if the injury happened before PERS enrollment. The change applies retroactively to January 1, 2003, and covers employees who later become PERS members without interruption in their job. This specifically affects temporary workers in state psychiatric or correctional facilities who were previously ineligible for PERS disability benefits after becoming members.