Sen. Patrick Diegnan

Maddy summaryThis bill allows a request for guardianship to be filed up to six months before a minor turns 18, if the minor is expected to need a legal guardian at age 18. The guardianship arrangement would only become effective on the minor's 18th birthday, preventing gaps in legal protection during the transition to adulthood. It also requires that such requests cannot be withdrawn without proof the minor is deceased or has decision-making capacity, which can be shown through testimony rather than medical evidence. This change aims to streamline the process for minors who require ongoing guardianship support after turning 18.

Maddy summaryS 4983 extends the deadline for enrolling newborn infants in health benefits coverage from 60 days to 90 days after birth. This change applies to both family health plans (covering parents and dependents) and individual plans that include newborns. Parents will now have 90 days, instead of 60, to submit birth notification and required payments to maintain continuous coverage for their infant. The bill does not alter the initial coverage start date (which remains effective at birth) but provides additional time to complete enrollment paperwork.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the U.S. Congress to change federal disability benefit rules. Currently, individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) lose their benefits if they marry under existing federal law. The New Jersey Senate resolution (SR 144) formally requests Congress enact legislation allowing disabled individuals to retain these benefits after marriage, referencing a documentary highlighting real couples affected by the current policy. As a symbolic measure, this resolution has no legal effect but seeks to prompt federal legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the Saturday before Thanksgiving as "National Adoption Day" and November as "National Adoption Month" in New Jersey. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to raise public awareness about adoption services, educate prospective parents, and celebrate finalized adoptions. The resolution highlights New Jersey's foster care statistics (including 6,000 children in care) and aims to support adoption efforts by recognizing families during this period. It does not change adoption laws or provide funding but focuses on symbolic recognition and community celebration. The bill's purpose is to draw attention to children awaiting adoption and the importance of family formation.

Maddy summaryACR 165 is a non-binding resolution urging New Jersey school districts to establish concussion management teams. These teams, made up of school-based professionals like nurses, psychologists, and athletic trainers, would support students recovering from concussions and help them safely return to classroom and sports activities. The resolution highlights that while school districts already have mandatory concussion policies, forming these teams would provide immediate, coordinated care during school hours. It directs copies to be sent to the Commissioner of Education and all school districts as a recommendation to enhance student care.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows operators of New Jersey's Suicide Hopeline to make follow-up phone calls to minors aged 16 or older who call for mental health crisis support and are identified as high risk for suicide, without requiring parental consent. The minor's consent to these follow-up calls is valid as if they were an adult, and the communication remains confidential - meaning it does not need to be reported to parents. Currently, national guidelines for suicide hotlines require parental permission for such follow-up calls, creating a barrier to immediate support. The bill directly affects at-risk youth under 18 who use the Suicide Hopeline, enabling more timely intervention during crises.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1939 requires chain restaurants (with 20+ locations) to meet specific nutritional standards for children's meals sold at a single price. The bill limits meals to 550 calories, 700mg sodium, 15g added sugar, and 10% saturated fat, while mandating at least 0.5 cups of fresh fruits or vegetables or a lean protein option. It also restricts beverages to water, milk, or 100% fruit/vegetable juice without added sweeteners. Restaurants must display the meal's nutritional content prominently on menus or signage. This bill directly affects chain restaurants operating in New Jersey and aims to improve childhood nutrition through concrete dietary requirements.

Maddy summarySCR 128 is a New Jersey Senate Concurrent Resolution (not a binding law) urging school districts to form concussion management teams. These teams would include school nurses, psychologists, athletic trainers, and administrators to support students recovering from concussions during school hours. The resolution highlights that such teams help coordinate care with families, ensure safe return to academics and sports, and provide immediate professional support - complementing existing district concussion policies. It does not create new legal requirements but encourages districts to adopt this approach using resources like the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey.

Maddy summarySCR 134 is a New Jersey Senate resolution urging Congress to provide emergency funds to modernize air traffic control infrastructure and increase staffing at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). It directly addresses EWR’s ongoing issues, including system disruptions from outdated equipment (like aging copper lines), staffing shortages (with only 22 certified controllers at Philadelphia TRACON managing EWR airspace), and resulting flight delays/cancellations affecting its 50 million annual passengers. The resolution requests immediate action to resolve these critical safety and operational challenges, noting that a long-term FAA system upgrade announced in May 2025 will not solve urgent needs. As a non-binding request, it formally asks Congress to appropriate emergency funds to support EWR’s safety and efficiency.

Maddy summaryACR 169 is a New Jersey legislative resolution urging Congress to provide emergency funds for Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). It specifically requests immediate action to modernize EWR's aging air traffic control infrastructure and increase staffing at facilities supporting the airport. The resolution cites recent disruptions - including radar outages, flight delays, and cancellations - stemming from outdated FAA systems (like aging copper lines) and staffing shortages (only 22 certified controllers at Philadelphia TRACON managing EWR airspace). This resolution directly affects EWR passengers (nearly 50 million annually), airport operations, and regional economic activity, emphasizing the urgent need for federal intervention before a long-term FAA system upgrade becomes operational.