Sen. Patrick Diegnan

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to add classroom instruction about social media and cell phone addiction risks for students in grades 6 through 12. It expands current requirements by moving this education from technology classes (for grades 6-8) to the health curriculum (for all grades 6-12), covering topics like mental health impacts, cyber safety, and consequences of irresponsible use. Schools must teach about risks including cyberbullying, addiction effects on relationships, and responsible platform use. The instruction must be implemented starting in the first full school year after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to create "250th Anniversary Revolutionary War" license plates for motor vehicles registered in the state. Vehicle owners who apply will pay a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual renewal fee, with the additional funds (after covering administrative costs) deposited into a dedicated fund to support Revolutionary War site preservation across New Jersey. The program requires the New Jersey Historical Commission to cover initial costs (up to $25,000) and provide 500 completed applications before implementation. The license plate design will be selected by the Motor Vehicle Commission in consultation with the Historical Commission, and the program may end if annual costs exceed the $50 fee for two consecutive years.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 900) changes New Jersey's unemployment benefits law to exempt wages paid to poll workers from being counted when calculating eligibility and benefit amounts. Specifically, it amends the definition of "average annual payroll" to exclude poll workers' wages, ensuring their temporary election-related earnings don't reduce their unemployment benefits. This directly affects poll workers who serve during elections and may later qualify for unemployment benefits. The change modifies how the state calculates payroll data for unemployment purposes, without altering other eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State of New Jersey to cover transportation costs exceeding a district's average per-pupil transportation expense for two specific groups of homeless students. First, it applies when homeless students attend school in their "district of residence" while temporarily living in another district (e.g., due to shelter placement). Second, it applies to students displaced by terrorism or natural disasters who remain in their original school district for up to two years. Currently, school districts cover all transportation costs for these students, but this bill shifts the burden for costs above the district's average to the state. The change takes effect immediately for the next full school year following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to create and issue special license plates for disabled veterans, allowing them to park in spaces reserved for people with disabilities without needing additional permits. To qualify, veterans must be New Jersey residents certified by the federal VA as having a service-connected disability, and the plates - displaying "Disabled Veteran" and a wheelchair symbol - will be free of charge. The plates are non-transferable and must be visibly displayed on the vehicle to use reserved parking, replacing the need for separate disability placards. Misuse of the plates can result in revocation and forfeiture of the license plate.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey residents to purchase special "Student Movement Against Cancer" license plates. Vehicle owners pay a $50 application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee, with all additional fees (after covering costs) deposited into a dedicated fund. The fund annually provides money to the Student Movement Against Cancer (SMAC) foundation to support its cancer awareness and fundraising programs. The program requires 500 initial applications and $25,000 in private funding before launch, and the plates display the phrase "Peace Out, Cancer" with SMAC's emblem.

Maddy summaryS 3914 prohibits the farming (aquaculture) of any octopus species for human consumption in New Jersey. It also bans businesses from selling, possessing, or transporting octopus raised through aquaculture. Violations carry daily civil penalties of up to $1,000, with each day of violation treated as a separate offense. The law takes immediate effect and excludes wild-caught octopus and octopus used solely for research.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3673 allows people with diagnosed traumatic or acquired brain injuries to voluntarily add a notation to their driver's license, ID card, and the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) registry. The bill creates a secure MVC registry storing vehicle details and emergency contact information to help law enforcement communicate effectively during stops. It also mandates annual training for all law enforcement agencies on de-escalation techniques and using the registry when interacting with individuals with brain injuries. Participation is entirely voluntary, and registry data is protected from public disclosure except during specific law enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow restaurants and licensed alcoholic beverage retailers (including bars, wineries, breweries, and distilleries) to operate in designated outdoor spaces adjacent to their business premises, including on public sidewalks. It creates a "premises expansion permit" process requiring applications to either the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (for licensed businesses) or municipal zoning officers (for restaurants without alcohol licenses), with requirements for security plans and property descriptions. Municipalities may regulate hours of operation but must allow outdoor service outside specific hours (10pm-11am on Sundays-Wednesdays, and 12am-11am on Thurs-Sat), and cannot prohibit outdoor service for businesses already operating under legal or disciplinary restrictions. The bill specifies that State-owned rights-of-way require separate approval from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, with setback requirements for roads intersecting state highways.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates New Jersey's inheritance tax for step-grandchildren by changing the state's tax code to treat them the same as biological grandchildren and stepchildren. Currently, step-grandchildren (the children of a stepchild) face a 15% tax on inheritances up to $700,000 and 16% on larger amounts, while biological grandchildren and stepchildren pay no tax. The bill amends tax law to classify step-grandchildren as "Class A" beneficiaries, removing their tax liability entirely. This change applies to all estates where the decedent dies on or after January 1, 2025. The policy directly affects step-grandchildren inheriting property from a step-grandparent in New Jersey.