Sen. Patrick Diegnan

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 602, allows school nurses in New Jersey to administer naloxone (opioid antidote) to students or others experiencing an opioid overdose on school property. It directly affects school nurses and students who may suffer opioid overdoses during school hours. The key provision grants school nurses immunity from civil, criminal, and professional liability when administering the antidote in good faith during an emergency. This removes legal barriers for school nurses to act immediately during overdose incidents, aligning with the state's "Overdose Prevention Act" framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's legal definition of child abuse or neglect to include situations where a child is harmed by someone who is not their parent or legal guardian, specifically adding that "another child under the age of 18" can cause abuse. It directly affects children who experience harm from peers or other non-guardian individuals, such as through physical injury, sexual abuse, or excessive punishment. The key change clarifies that acts by non-parents - including other minors - will now be considered abuse under state law, while explicitly stating this does not apply in day schools. This amendment ensures broader protection for children harmed by individuals outside their immediate family or guardianship.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's Early Childhood Pay-for-Success Program, appropriating up to $25 million to fund contracts with nonprofits or community groups that provide early childhood services (like preschool, health support, and home visits) to at-risk children and families. Under the program, state agencies (such as Children's Services or Education) can only pay these organizations if they meet specific, measurable outcomes - like improved child development or reduced long-term public costs - verified by an independent evaluator. The $25 million will be held in a dedicated trust fund, and organizations must submit annual reports on progress toward goals. The bill directly affects at-risk children and families receiving services, nonprofits administering programs, and state agencies managing contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1985) would legalize for adults aged 21 or older the cultivation and possession of up to six marijuana plants per person for personal recreational use, with a household maximum of 12 plants. It also legalizes for qualifying medical patients (21+) or their designated caregivers to grow and possess up to 10 plants per person for medical use, with the same household cap of 12 plants. The bill amends state law to remove criminal penalties for these specific amounts, building on existing law that already decriminalized possession of up to six ounces. The bill is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee (introduced January 9, 2024) and would take effect immediately if enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates New Jersey's statewide high school proficiency test requirement for graduation. It directly affects all public high school students and local school districts by removing the mandate that students must pass a state-administered test to earn a diploma. The key mechanism deletes references to the "Statewide assessment test" and "High School Proficiency Test" from existing law, shifting authority to local boards of education to set their own graduation standards. The bill does not create new requirements or assessments - only removes the existing statewide test as a graduation condition.

Maddy summarySJR 43 designates February 4th of each year as "Women and Girls in Sports Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to recognize women and girls' contributions to sports and encourage participation, aligning with the existing National Girls and Women in Sports Day. This is a ceremonial resolution with no funding or regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes mandatory early intervention programs for children aged 0-5 who are deaf or hard of hearing, directly affecting them and their parents or guardians. It requires two annual meetings between families, a language team (including a hearing specialist, teacher of the deaf, speech therapist, and deaf mentor), and automatic enrollment in language development services - though parents may opt out. Parents of these children will be paired with trained deaf mentors who provide personal guidance and support in language development. The program continues until age 3 for toddlers or until kindergarten entry for preschoolers, with mentors required to be deaf/hard of hearing and certified through the SKI-HI training program.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows people with disabilities to request an exemption from civil service examinations when applying for state jobs in New Jersey. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of disability through a medical professional's letter or certification from specific programs like Social Security Disability Insurance or vocational rehabilitation services. The Civil Service Commission must approve exemptions if the applicant can perform the job duties, and all disability records are kept confidential except for administrative or statistical use. The bill aims to improve access to state employment for qualified individuals with disabilities by removing unnecessary exam barriers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mail-in ballot application forms to include prepaid postage, paid by the State, so voters no longer need to purchase stamps when returning their completed forms. It directly affects voters who apply for mail-in ballots by mail, removing a cost barrier to requesting ballots. The requirement will be implemented after the 2023 primary election as part of amendments to New Jersey's election law. The bill ensures that the cost of mailing applications does not fall on voters.

Maddy summaryBill S 316 allows partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies in New Jersey to convert into other business entity types (like corporations or partnerships in New Jersey or other states) under specific rules. It requires approval by partners or governing documents, mandates filing a certificate of conversion with the Division of Revenue, and details how rights, assets, and liabilities transfer to the new entity. This directly affects business owners seeking to restructure their entity type while complying with New Jersey law. The bill standardizes the conversion process, including requirements for documentation and service of legal process for out-of-state entities.