Sen. Patrick Diegnan

Maddy summarySJR 103 is a symbolic resolution declaring New Jersey a "Purple Heart State" to honor veterans and active-duty service members from New Jersey who have received the Purple Heart Medal. The Purple Heart Medal is awarded by the President to those wounded or killed in combat, and this resolution recognizes their sacrifices without creating new benefits or programs. It builds on New Jersey's existing connections to the national "Purple Heart Trail" (a network of roads and monuments honoring recipients), which includes locations in the state and stems from a 1992 convention held in Cherry Hill. The resolution takes effect immediately and serves as a formal state acknowledgment of these veterans' service.

Maddy summarySJR 29 designates August each year as "Professional Engineers Month" in New Jersey and the first Wednesday in August as "Professional Engineering Day." The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of these designations. It directly affects professional engineers in New Jersey, recognizing their contributions to public safety, infrastructure, and the state's economic growth. The resolution has no binding requirements beyond the annual proclamation request and took effect immediately upon approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey optometrists' scope of practice to include prescribing pharmaceutical agents (including controlled substances for eye conditions), administering immunizations for coronavirus, flu, and shingles (for patients 18+), and performing minor procedures like removing superficial foreign bodies, treating chalazions, and simple ophthalmologic treatments (e.g., trabeculoplasty) using topical anesthesia. It explicitly prohibits invasive eye surgery, orbital procedures, or general anesthesia. The law requires optometrists to report administered immunizations to the state's immunization registry and mandates they follow CDC guidelines for vaccine administration. This directly affects optometrists by broadening their clinical capabilities and patients by increasing access to certain eye care services within defined limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's bereavement leave provisions under the Family Leave Act (P.L.1989, c.261) and Temporary Disability Benefits Law (P.L.1948, c.110) to include leave for the death of a child, miscarriage, stillbirth, termination of pregnancy for medical reasons, unsuccessful adoption, and failed fertility treatments. Employees who meet eligibility requirements can take up to 21 days of leave for circumstances where they wouldn't otherwise qualify for leave, or up to 7 days for circumstances where they would otherwise qualify. The leave applies to employees who are biological parents, adoptive parents, or parents through a gestational carrier agreement, as well as their spouses, domestic partners, or civil union partners. This legislation specifically addresses bereavement needs not previously covered under existing leave provisions for these specific personal losses.

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.