Sen. Patrick Diegnan

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey colleges and universities to install automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in every athletic facility and student center. The AEDs must be placed in unlocked, accessible locations with clear signage during normal operating hours, within reasonable distance of athletic fields. Institutions must also ensure at least two staff members are trained in CPR and AED use during operations, maintain devices per manufacturer guidelines, and notify emergency services of their location and type. The bill grants immunity from civil liability to institutions and staff using AEDs as required. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in New Jersey hospitals, ambulatory surgery facilities, developmental centers, and psychiatric hospitals. It requires facilities to maintain specific ratios (such as 1:4 for medical/surgical units and 1:2 for critical care) and implement an acuity-based staffing system to adjust for patient needs. Facilities that violate these requirements face civil penalties, with fines deposited into a dedicated fund for nursing recruitment, retention programs, and student loan forgiveness. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities and their nursing staff, aiming to improve patient safety through mandated staffing standards.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S 2555 regulates residential mental health treatment facilities by establishing licensing requirements and care standards. It mandates that facilities provide 24/7 care consistent with ASAM's Level 3.5 standards for patients who don't need hospitalization, limit treatment duration to prepare patients for community care, and prohibit retrospective medical necessity reviews. Facilities must obtain a license from the Commissioner of Health, demonstrate compliance with minimum standards, and cannot operate at the same location as substance use disorder facilities. The bill also exempts these facilities from New Jersey's certificate of need requirements for facility expansions or modifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state, county, and private adult and juvenile correctional facilities to provide free voice calls, video calls, and email services to incarcerated individuals. It eliminates all fees for both the incarcerated person and their family members receiving calls or messages, prohibiting facilities from charging commissions, surcharges, or additional fees. The bill amends existing law to mandate that these communication services be provided at no cost to any party, while allowing facilities to maintain security measures. It also includes an appropriation for implementation, as certified by correctional authorities. The policy directly affects incarcerated individuals and their families across all correctional facilities in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryS 2521 extends the initial duration of temporary courtesy licenses for nonresident military spouses from one year to two years in specific professions, including nursing, social work, psychology, and related fields. To qualify, applicants must hold a current license in another jurisdiction with equivalent requirements, have practiced for at least two of the last five years (counting military service), and pass a background check. The license may be extended for an additional year at the board's discretion. This change applies to military spouses who have relocated to New Jersey due to active duty military orders.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey pharmacists to provide a one-time emergency supply of a chronic maintenance drug (like those for diabetes or hypertension) without a current prescription under specific conditions. It applies when a patient has a prior prescription that has expired or lacks refills, the pharmacist cannot reach the prescribing doctor, and the pharmacist determines that delaying the medication would endanger the patient's health. The emergency supply is limited to a 30-day amount (or standard unit if larger), cannot include controlled substances, and cannot be provided more than once per drug per patient within 12 months. Pharmacists and their employers are granted civil immunity for actions taken under this provision, unless gross negligence or intentional misconduct occurred.

Maddy summaryS 2530 establishes a rebuttable presumption that defendants charged with domestic violence by strangling their victims must be detained before trial rather than released on bail. The presumption applies when a court finds probable cause that the defendant committed aggravated assault by strangling a domestic violence victim, and the defendant may rebut it with a preponderance of evidence. This extends a current presumption (which applies to murder or life imprisonment crimes) to this specific domestic violence scenario. The bill aims to increase safety for domestic violence victims by keeping alleged perpetrators in custody during pretrial proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to create roadside signs and an online website promoting tourism attractions, historic sites, and historic districts. Qualifying attractions must meet specific criteria to participate, including being within 15 miles of a highway, open to the public for 30+ hours weekly, and offering cultural/historical value. The Department of Transportation will update signage rules to include these locations, while the Department of State will develop a searchable website with maps, driving directions, photos, and contact information for visitors. These resources aim to make it easier for tourists to find and visit these sites across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State of New Jersey to annually reimburse municipalities for the full cost of exempting disabled veterans' property from local property taxes. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities that provide this exemption under existing law (P.L.1948, c.259). The key mechanism mandates the state pay each municipality 102% of the total tax value of disabled veterans' exemptions, covering both lost revenue and administrative costs. Municipalities must certify exemption numbers and amounts by June 1 each year, and the state will fund this through the existing property tax system. This replaces the current practice where municipalities alone absorbed these costs, which sometimes led to higher taxes for other residents or reduced services.

Maddy summaryS 991 creates a permanent unit within New Jersey's State Office of Emergency Management to specifically support residents with access and functional needs during disasters. This unit directly affects people with disabilities, older adults, those with limited English proficiency, transportation barriers, or financial constraints - representing about 24.6% of New Jersey adults. The unit will coordinate regional planning to identify needs before, during, and after emergencies; assess resource availability; address access barriers; and collaborate with local emergency offices. It will operate with one full-time supervisor and three full-time planners across the state's northern, central, and southern regions.