Asm. Annette Quijano

Maddy summaryAJR 74 designates November 25 of each year as "Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in New Jersey." The resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the day through awareness activities. It aligns with the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, established in 1999. This procedural resolution does not create new laws but formally recognizes the date for statewide awareness efforts.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2424 requires all State, county, and municipal employees, plus certain State contractors with access to state computer systems or databases, to complete annual cybersecurity awareness training. The training must be approved by the Chief Technology Officer, delivered online, and verified annually by employees and contractors. State agencies, counties, municipalities, the Legislature, and contractors must conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance with this requirement. The bill applies to all state employees (including public universities), local government staff, and contractor personnel who handle state data.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2416) would regulate credit card interchange fees in New Jersey by prohibiting electronic payment systems (like Visa/MasterCard networks) from imposing restrictive terms in contracts with merchants. It directly affects merchants (businesses accepting cards) and consumers, as it would allow merchants to offer discounts for cash or debit payments and choose which payment systems to accept at different locations. Key provisions ban systems from blocking merchants from setting minimum/maximum credit card transaction values ($10 minimum), limiting payment system choices, or restricting how merchants display pricing. If passed, violations would be treated as consumer fraud under New Jersey law, with penalties up to $20,000 per offense and mandatory reimbursement of fees to affected merchants.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises the rules for determining the "base year" used to calculate homestead property tax reimbursements after a qualifying resident relocates within New Jersey. It eliminates the requirement for eligible claimants (seniors or disabled homeowners meeting income thresholds) to wait an additional tax year after moving to a new homestead to qualify for reimbursement. Instead, they can immediately qualify following relocation, with the reimbursement based on property taxes from the year prior to moving into the new home. The change applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2021, and does not affect the base year calculation for new construction properties.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A968) allows municipalities to challenge COAH (Council on Affordable Housing) orders requiring non-redevelopment housing projects on undeveloped land, unless the order addresses exclusionary zoning practices in that municipality. It excludes flood-prone land from affordable housing vacant land analysis, meaning land below flood elevation standards or within 100 feet of certain water bodies cannot be counted toward housing requirements. The bill caps a municipality's affordable housing obligation at a 5% population increase over a 10-year period, replacing the previous 1,000-unit limit. These provisions aim to balance housing needs with municipal planning considerations and environmental protections. The Department of Environmental Protection must develop rules for identifying flood-prone lands within seven months of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey, allowing them to practice to the full extent of their training without requiring physician supervision or joint protocols. APNs with more than 24 months or 2,400 hours of experience can practice independently, while those with less experience must maintain a joint protocol with a physician for prescribing medications. The bill updates requirements for prescribing medications (including pharmacology continuing education), authorizing medical cannabis, and practicing anesthesia, and repeals sections of law requiring physician collaboration. These changes aim to improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas, by expanding the scope of practice for APNs who are already trained to provide primary and specialty care. The bill also modifies documentation requirements so that APNs can use their own signatures instead of requiring physician endorsements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all general and special hospitals in New Jersey to create and implement evidence-based protocols for early recognition and treatment of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. The protocols must cover both adult and pediatric patients separately, include screening processes, treatment guidelines, infection source identification, and antibiotic administration timelines. Hospitals must train relevant staff, submit protocols to the Department of Health for approval within 120 days of the bill's effective date, and annually report data to track adherence and outcomes. These protocols aim to improve sepsis care, as the condition is a leading cause of death in New Jersey and can cause organ damage or death if not treated promptly.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent Office of New Americans within New Jersey's Department of Human Services to support immigrants, refugees, and their children. The office will coordinate key services - including refugee resettlement, health screenings, and legal aid for low-income New Americans - and provide training to other state agencies on culturally responsive outreach. It requires the office to use data solely for integration efforts (like language access planning) and prohibits sharing data with immigration enforcement. The bill formalizes an existing office created by executive order in 2019, ensuring dedicated staffing and resources for New American communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey domestic violence protection orders (TROs) and related victim notices to be available in multiple languages, not just English. Specifically, it mandates that court notices and temporary restraining order templates be prepared in English, Spanish, and up to 10 additional high-demand languages spoken in the state. The Administrative Office of the Courts must create these multilingual materials to ensure victims with limited English proficiency can understand their rights and legal options. This directly affects domestic violence victims who speak languages other than English, improving access to critical legal protections.