Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health (DOH) to apply for federal waivers to cover menstrual hygiene products (like tampons, pads, and cups) under NJ FamilyCare, SNAP (food stamps), and WIC programs. If the federal government denies the waiver, DHS must establish a state-funded benefit using $2 million from the General Fund, with eligibility determined through a household certification process for minors. The law mandates an educational campaign to inform program participants about the new benefit and applies to anyone enrolled in these specific public assistance programs who menstruates. The $2 million appropriation is contingent solely on federal denial of the waiver request.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to deduct up to $45,000 annually from their gross income for specific property cleanup costs. It covers lead paint removal (by certified contractors), asbestos abatement (by licensed contractors), lead pipe/plumbing replacement, soil remediation, leaded window replacement, and water treatment system costs for sodium/chloride-contaminated well water. The deduction applies to primary residences, owner-occupied homes, or rental units, with requirements including municipal affidavits for lead/asbestos work and proof of contamination for water treatment. The provision expires December 31, 2025, and is available regardless of taxpayer income.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits under the Pension Adjustment Act (P.L.1958, c.143) for members of New Jersey's State-administered retirement systems. It directly affects retirees and beneficiaries of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund, Judicial Retirement System, Public Employees' Retirement System, Police and Firemen's Retirement System, and State Police Retirement System. The bill reverses a 2011 provision that had eliminated these automatic annual adjustments, ensuring benefits will adjust each year to help maintain purchasing power against inflation. By reinstating COLAs, the bill prevents gradual erosion of retirement benefits' value over time. This change provides concrete financial protection for retirees as the cost of living increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates an exception in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities. It would require these venues to become smoke-free, meaning no smoking would be permitted inside for employees, patrons, or visitors. The change directly affects casino operators, staff, and customers at all New Jersey casinos and simulcasting facilities (such as those with slot machines, table games, or dedicated seating for betting). This policy shift extends the existing indoor smoking ban to these locations, removing a long-standing exemption.

Maddy summaryAJR 27 designates November each year as "Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public awareness about hospice and palliative care services. It aims to educate residents about supportive end-of-life care options before health crises or terminal diagnoses occur. The resolution has no legal effect beyond the symbolic designation and proclamation requirement.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) without individual prescriptions under specific conditions. Pharmacists must verify patients are HIV-negative through recent testing, provide counseling, complete required training, and document services before dispensing. Health insurance plans must cover these medications without prior authorization or step therapy requirements. Patients can receive up to a 60-day supply of PrEP without a prescription within any two-year period before needing a prescription for continued use. Pharmacists must also notify patients' primary care providers about the dispensing, unless the patient declines.

Maddy summaryAJR 19 designates October of each year as "Opioid Abuse Prevention Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the month with educational activities about opioid abuse. It does not create new laws, funding, or programs but aims to raise awareness about the opioid crisis. This commemorative resolution focuses on promoting education and recognition of the issue, rather than implementing policy changes.

Maddy summary# Summary of New Jersey Bill Replacing "Alien" and "Illegal Alien" Terminology This bill amends New Jersey statutes to replace the terms "alien" and "illegal alien" with "foreign national" and "undocumented foreign national," respectively, when referring to individuals based on their immigration status. Key provisions include: 1. **Terminology Replacement**: The bill systematically replaces "alien" with "foreign national" and "illegal alien" with "undocumented foreign national" throughout New Jersey statutes in sections related to: - Tax law (Section 23) - Income tax tables (Section 24) - Social services (Sections 16-22) - Welfare programs (Sections 17-19) - Real estate (Section 22) - Medical assistance (Section 16) - And numerous other legal contexts 2. **Agency Compliance**: Section 25 prohibits all New Jersey executive agencies from using the terms "alien" or "illegal alien" in any proposed or final rule, regulation, interpretation, publication, or other document issued after the effective date of the act, except when quoting or reproducing text from other sources. 3. **Rationale**: The bill's statement explains that the terms "alien" and "illegal alien" are offensive, ostracize immigrants, and have skewed immigration discussions. The bill aims to show respect to immigrants, recognize their personhood, and align with the principle that "the United States is a nation of immigrants." 4. **Implementation**: The bill takes effect on the first day of the third month following its enactment. The bill is consistent with similar legislation introduced in Congress by Representative Joaquin Castro in 2015, reflecting a broader movement to use more respectful language when discussing immigration.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey auto insurers from using an applicant's education level, occupation, or credit score to determine insurance rates or eligibility. It also bans insurers from asking about these factors during the application process. The law amends existing insurance regulations to explicitly forbid these rating practices and requires insurers to file their underwriting rules with the state commissioner. This directly affects all New Jersey drivers applying for or renewing auto insurance policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's assault laws to specifically address assaults on people with disabilities. It defines a "person with a disability" as someone with a pre-existing medically determinable physical or mental impairment that substantially limits their ability to resist, including those determined disabled under federal Social Security or similar programs. Under the bill, causing bodily injury to such a person would be upgraded to aggravated assault, classified as a third-degree crime with a mandatory minimum 3-year prison sentence. The bill was prompted by the 2006 assault of Joey Damiano, a Trenton man with an intellectual disability, and would directly affect anyone committing assault against a person with a disability in New Jersey.