Sen. Patrick Diegnan

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 746) expands New Jersey's Volunteer Tuition Credit Program to include four-year public colleges and universities, previously limited to community colleges. It increases the maximum annual tuition credit from $600 to $1,000 per year, raising the total four-year maximum from $2,400 to $4,000. The program applies to active volunteer firefighters/rescue squad members, their spouses, and dependent children who agree to serve four years in exchange for the credit. To qualify, participants must maintain a "C" grade average and provide proof of service to their municipality.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 336 creates a zero-interest loan program to help community health centers integrate new care services. It directly affects federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), behavioral health clinics, and substance use facilities by providing short-term loans for staffing, training, licensure fees, and infrastructure needed to add primary care, behavioral health, or substance abuse services. Centers must apply with detailed budgets, proof of financial need, and patient population data, with priority given to those serving high Medicaid populations. The program is funded through state appropriations and aims to make integrated care more accessible without requiring upfront capital from providers.

Maddy summaryS 885 protects domestic violence victims from being harassed through abusive legal tactics by defining "abusive and controlling litigation" as lawsuits filed in bad faith to delay, harm, or maintain contact with a victim. It directly affects victims of domestic violence who face lawsuits initiated by their abusers in court. The bill gives courts power to dismiss such cases, award attorney fees, and block future lawsuits against the victim if the court finds the abuser met three criteria: a prior domestic violence act, bad-faith litigation, and claims without legal or factual support. The law also creates a rebuttable presumption of abuse if the abuser has a recent history of similar conduct in court.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 591) removes a long-standing ban preventing retired New Jersey judges from practicing law while receiving a pension or retirement allowance from the Judicial Retirement System. It amends state law to allow retired judges to engage in legal practice before New Jersey courts, directly affecting judges who have retired but wish to continue legal work. The key change deletes the existing prohibition in Section 13(a) of the law, with the Supreme Court retaining authority to establish rules governing such practice. The bill does not alter pension amounts or create new financial obligations for the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to expand or modify bus, rail, and specialized transit services within one year to better accommodate the mobility needs of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. NJT must first consult directly with autistic individuals and their advocates before making any changes to routes or hours. The law also mandates annual consultations to assess whether current services meet mobility needs and whether further adjustments are necessary. This applies to all NJT services, including light rail and paratransit.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires companies and research facilities in New Jersey that use cats, dogs, or ferrets for product testing or research to assess these animals for adoption suitability after testing ends. If deemed suitable, they must offer the animals to animal rescue organizations or private individuals for adoption, following specific procedures. Facilities must report details like animal numbers, assessment results, and adoption outcomes to the Department of Health, with penalties of up to $50,000 for noncompliance. The law directly affects testing facilities, research institutions, and animal rescue organizations, aiming to provide a pathway for animals used in testing to find new homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax credits for businesses manufacturing equipment for advanced nuclear reactors and establishes a state program to support new nuclear facility construction. Manufacturers of nuclear components can claim a 15% tax credit on eligible equipment purchases, with higher 25% credits available for businesses relocating to New Jersey or qualifying as minority-owned, women-owned, or veteran-owned. Developers seeking tax credits must demonstrate economic feasibility, locate projects at existing or decommissioned nuclear sites, meet environmental standards, and contribute at least 20% of project costs. The program, administered by the Economic Development Authority, requires developers to secure U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing by 2030 for facility construction.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 845 requires most health insurance plans sold in the state to cover hearing aids. Specifically, it mandates that insurers provide coverage for one hearing aid per ear every 48 months (as recommended by a licensed audiologist or hearing aid dispenser) with patient out-of-pocket costs capped at 15% of the device's cost. This applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, group and individual health insurance policies, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and individual health benefits plans. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents with these insurance plans and their providers, ensuring more accessible hearing aid coverage without increasing patient costs beyond the 15% limit. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Commerce Committee.

Maddy summaryS 1206 would allow individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to qualify for a handicapped parking placard in New Jersey. To be eligible, a person must have a PTSD diagnosis certified by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist in New Jersey, a neighboring state, or at a military installation in New Jersey. This bill adds PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions under the state's handicapped parking program, aligning it with existing medical criteria. The application process would require this certification, following the same requirements used for other qualifying disabilities.

Maddy summaryS 672 establishes New Jersey's official definition of anti-Semitism by adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) 2016 definition, including its "contemporary examples." It clarifies that criticism of Israel similar to criticism of other countries does not constitute anti-Semitism. The bill requires state agencies and institutions to use this definition when reviewing, investigating, or deciding violations of anti-discrimination policies or laws. It explicitly states the definition does not infringe on First Amendment rights or conflict with existing state, federal, or local anti-discrimination laws.