Sen. Patrick Diegnan

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to allow prosecutors to seek pretrial detention for individuals who violate protective orders issued under the Victim's Assistance and Survivor Protection Act (VASPA). Currently, such pretrial detention motions are permitted only for violations of orders under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (PDVA), not VASPA. The bill adds VASPA violations to the list of circumstances where a prosecutor can file a motion for pretrial detention, treating them identically to PDVA violations under existing law. This change ensures consistency in handling contempt violations of protective orders for victims of domestic violence and other crimes covered by VASPA.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual funding for New Jersey's Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR) from $1 million to $10 million by redirecting cigarette and tobacco tax revenues into a dedicated, permanent Cancer Research Fund. The fund, established within the Department of the Treasury, must use at least $5 million annually for general cancer research and at least $5 million for pediatric cancer research, with all funds exclusively supporting approved research projects. Unlike the previous system, this fund is non-lapsing (permanent), preventing annual budget transfers that previously reduced available resources. The bill also repeals outdated provisions and designates the State Treasurer to manage fund disbursements.

Maddy summaryS 4438 allows juveniles of any age to be tried in adult court for terrorism, human trafficking, and other serious crimes like murder, robbery, and assault, if a court determines the circumstances and severity of the offense warrant it. Currently, only juveniles aged 15 or older could be waived for some serious crimes, but this bill removes the age restriction for terrorism, human trafficking, and the listed offenses. The bill also requires the state to collect and report data on waiver decisions, including demographics and case details, to monitor how the policy is applied. This directly affects young people under 18 charged with these specific offenses.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 131) is a ceremonial tribute honoring the late Congressman William J. Pascrell, Jr., who dedicated 36 years to public service in New Jersey, including founding the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. It recognizes his leadership in advancing national policy and research for traumatic and acquired brain injuries (TBI/ABI), which impact thousands of New Jersey residents. The resolution formally urges all New Jersey members of Congress to join and actively support the bipartisan Brain Injury Task Force to continue Pascrell’s advocacy for research, treatment, and rehabilitation services. As a symbolic gesture with no new policy or funding, it commemorates Pascrell’s legacy rather than creating legislative changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey public bodies to publish required meeting notices and official advertisements in online newspapers and news publications, not just print newspapers. It establishes specific requirements for online publications to qualify, including maintaining a designated publication address, providing 35% original news content, and displaying a free public link to njpublicnotices.com. The bill sets standardized rates for publishing official notices based on subscriber count, ranging from $0.03 per character for publications with up to 10,000 subscribers to $0.05 per character for those with over 100,000 subscribers. All official notices published online must be available to the public for free on njpublicnotices.com. This bill directly affects government entities required to publish notices and online news publications seeking to qualify for official advertising.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-ofiving adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of certain retired police and firefighters in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It applies to members who have received retirement benefits for at least 10 years, excluding those who retired with 20-24 years of service, are in deferred retirement, or were hired more than 30 days after the bill's effective date. COLAs will be calculated based on the Consumer Price Index, with a $75,000 annual benefit threshold for the first year (adjusted annually thereafter), and capped at a 1% increase for benefits exceeding this amount. The bill requires the Legislature to appropriate funds from the General Fund to cover these adjustments, with the State Treasurer taking over implementation if the Board of Trustees fails to comply within six months. The adjustments apply only to future benefit payments, not retroactively.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires used motor vehicle dealers operating in multi-dealer locations (a single building housing multiple dealership offices) to maintain at least four business hours per week, Monday through Saturday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., with the dealer or an authorized person physically present. It also mandates that a multi-dealer representative be present Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., without requiring this representative to be an authorized signatory for any specific dealership. These requirements apply only to dealers licensed under New Jersey law who operate in multi-dealer locations, not to standalone dealerships.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey to issue special license plates featuring the Ancient Order of Hibernians emblem for vehicles registered in the state. Vehicle owners would pay a $50 application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee, with all fees deposited into a dedicated fund that transfers money directly to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, New Jersey State Board, each year. The state motor vehicle agency would handle plate production and administration, while the organization covers initial costs up to $25,000. The program requires no state funding for initial setup or ongoing costs beyond the fees collected.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 4317, excludes certain retirement savings plan contributions from New Jersey's gross income tax. It affects New Jersey taxpayers who contribute to specific retirement plans that already qualify for federal tax benefits. The key provision amends New Jersey tax law to exclude contributions made to: 401(k) plans, qualified pension plans, 403(b) annuity contracts, state/local government deferred compensation plans (457 plans), the federal Thrift Savings Fund, and standard Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). These contributions will no longer be counted as taxable income when made, though taxes will apply when funds are withdrawn. The exclusion applies to contributions made in taxable years beginning January 1 following the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the State House Complex Welcome Center in Trenton as the "Governor Richard J. Codey Welcome Center" to honor New Jersey's 53rd governor and longest-serving legislator. It requires the State Capitol Joint Management Commission to install appropriate signage bearing the new name and allows the commission to accept public or private donations to cover sign costs. The bill has no policy impact beyond renaming a facility and does not create new laws or funding.