Sen. Patrick Diegnan

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2378) allows eligible New Jersey educators and paraprofessionals to deduct up to $250 annually from their gross income for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. It directly affects K-12 teachers, counselors, principals, and school aides (employed at least 900 hours yearly by NJ public or private schools) who purchase qualifying supplies like books, computers, software, and classroom materials. The deduction excludes nonathletic supplies for health/physical education courses. The provision applies to taxable years starting January 1 after enactment, mirroring the federal educator expense deduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's official definition of anti-Semitism by adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, including its "contemporary examples," for use by state institutions. It requires state entities to consider this definition when reviewing or investigating potential anti-Semitic discrimination or bias crimes. The bill appropriates $100,000 to fund a public awareness campaign by the Attorney General's office, promoting the state's bias crimes reporting hotline and resources for identifying and reporting anti-Semitic incidents. The campaign aims to increase public understanding and reporting of bias crimes, particularly affecting Jewish communities and other vulnerable groups in New Jersey. The bill explicitly states it does not diminish First Amendment rights or conflict with existing anti-discrimination laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program for building electrification and decarbonization. It mandates electric utilities to develop and implement multi-year plans converting fossil fuel systems (like gas heating and cooking) to efficient electric alternatives, such as heat pumps and induction stoves, while meeting specific greenhouse gas reduction targets. Plans must be cost-effective from a societal perspective, considering environmental benefits like reduced methane emissions. The program aims to lower emissions and energy costs through utility-led initiatives, with the BPU setting targets and performance incentives.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows home health care agencies in New Jersey to hire certified nurse aides as homemaker-home health aides, a role currently restricted to certified homemaker-home health aides under existing law. It directly affects licensed home health care agencies (covered under P.L.1971, c.136) and certified nurse aides who previously could not work in this specific capacity. The key provision removes a legal barrier, enabling these agencies to employ nurse aides for homemaker-home health aide duties without violating current regulations. The New Jersey Board of Nursing may create implementing rules, and the law takes effect 90 days after enactment. This change aligns home health care agency staffing rules with those already permitted for long-term care facilities.

Maddy summaryS 3460 requires New Jersey's Attorney General to study residential burglaries and issue regular reports to inform law enforcement and the public. The study must collect detailed data from 2018 onward, including burglary times, weapons used, injuries, property damage values, and charges filed, broken down by county. The Attorney General must submit an initial report within six months of the bill's enactment, followed by annual reports. These reports will include statistics, summaries of current prevention efforts, and recommendations for reducing residential burglaries statewide.

Maddy summarySCR 81 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years. The deduction would rise to $1,000 in 2025, $1,500 in 2026, $2,000 in 2027, and $2,500 starting in 2028, remaining at that level annually thereafter. This change directly affects honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses (who qualify after the veteran's death). The amendment would adjust the existing tax benefit without altering other eligibility rules or requiring new administrative processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide property tax rebates to New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities, allowing them to receive a rebate equal to their disability percentage (e.g., a 30% disability rating would get a 30% rebate on property taxes). It directly affects veterans who are honorably discharged, have a VA-rated disability, live in their primary residence (homestead), and have gross income under $200,000. The rebate is capped at $5,000 annually, with special provisions for renters (18% of rent counted as property taxes) and mobile home owners (18% of site fees counted as property taxes). Veterans with 100% disability are already exempt from property taxes and would not qualify for this rebate. Funding for the program would depend on annual legislative appropriations.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to provide a property tax exemption for the primary residence of a surviving spouse whose first responder spouse (law enforcement officer, firefighter, or first aid/ambulance/rescue squad member) died while performing regular duties. The exemption applies only if the death resulted directly from duty (not willful negligence), the property was the deceased's primary residence at the time of death, and the surviving spouse continues to live there as their primary residence. The exemption ends if the surviving spouse remarries. It would require voter approval to become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "EMS Part" within New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), specifically for certified emergency medical services (EMS) workers. It directly affects EMTs, paramedics, nurses, and other licensed EMS personnel who provide basic or advanced life support services under state health department certification. Key provisions include enhanced retirement benefits - such as a pension equal to 50% of final salary for those with 20+ years of service, mandatory retirement at age 70, and state coverage of increased pension costs for counties/municipalities. The bill ensures these employees receive retirement benefits comparable to other public-sector groups under PERS.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3397 provides a tax credit to employers who hire qualified workers with disabilities. Employers can claim a 15% credit on wages paid to these employees (capped at $2,000 per employee annually), provided the worker has a disability recognized under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, works at least 35 hours weekly, and earns $15+ per hour. To qualify, employers must submit an application to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for certification, which must be approved within 90 days or deemed automatic. The credit excludes independent contractors and cannot reduce tax liability below zero, with unused credits potentially carried forward for up to seven years.