Sen. Patrick Diegnan

Maddy summaryThe John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey establishes new protections for voters in racial, color, and language-minority groups. It requires that all voting policies be interpreted in favor of protecting voting rights and prohibits policies that burden these voters. The law creates a preclearance process for certain political subdivisions needing Attorney General approval before implementing voting changes. It also mandates language assistance for limited English proficient voters and establishes a New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute to maintain public voting data.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts sales of materials, supplies, and services used in building or improving affordable housing projects from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It specifically applies to projects where all housing units are intended for moderate, low, or very low-income residents, as defined by state law. The exemption covers transactions with contractors or repairmen for these projects, reducing development costs for housing sponsors. This expands existing tax exemptions to include a new category of affordable housing developments.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 87) is a ceremonial acknowledgment by the New Jersey Senate of the 100th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Ireland, established on October 7, 1924, when Irish Ambassador Timothy Smiddy presented credentials to President Calvin Coolidge. It recognizes Ireland’s status as the first country to appoint an ambassador to the U.S. after gaining independence and highlights the deep historical and cultural ties between Irish-Americans and the U.S., including New Jersey’s large Irish-American population (1.3 million residents). The resolution has no binding effect; it simply expresses recognition and will be sent to Irish leaders (Taoiseach, President, and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland). It focuses on historical significance, not new policies or obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed and certified social workers in New Jersey to earn up to four hours of required continuing education credit by volunteering as poll workers on election days. Social workers can receive two credits for each election they serve (either a primary or general election), but cannot exceed four credits per license renewal period. To claim the credits, they must provide proof of service, such as a certified letter from their local election office. The bill does not require social workers to volunteer - it simply offers this as an optional way to meet standard continuing education requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital to Richard J. Codey Psychiatric Hospital. It requires the New Jersey Department of Health to update all official publications, signage, and public indicators to reflect the new name, and amends all existing laws, regulations, and documents to replace "Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital" with the new name. The change applies immediately to all references within state law and official materials.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2991) requires all New Jersey public school districts to incorporate age-appropriate bullying awareness and prevention education into Comprehensive Health and Physical Education for students from preschool through 12th grade. It mandates teaching definitions of bullying, types (including physical, verbal, social, and cyberbullying), the lasting impact of online actions, how to seek help, and consequences for perpetrators. The curriculum must also develop sensitivity to how bullying is worsened by intolerance based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, or other characteristics. The New Jersey Commissioner of Education must provide schools with sample learning activities and resources to implement this requirement, effective for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1484) exempts sales tax on construction materials, supplies, and services used for specific affordable housing projects. It directly affects housing sponsors who have secured federal, state, or local subsidies for projects where all units are restricted to moderate, low, or very low-income residents (as defined by state law). The exemption applies to materials/services used in building, improving, or repairing qualifying housing, requiring sponsors to apply through state-prescribed procedures. This policy change reduces construction costs for affordable housing developers by removing a sales tax burden on essential building inputs.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "The Voter Convenience Act," allows New Jersey voters to cast ballots at any polling place within their municipality on election day, rather than being restricted to their assigned location. County election officials must develop uniform guidelines using electronic poll books to verify voter eligibility and provide the correct ballot for the voter's election district. It applies to all municipalities that choose to implement the change, with optional countywide voting locations also permitted. The bill modifies election procedures but does not alter voting eligibility or ballot content.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Training Clinicians to Support Adults with Autism Workforce Development Program" at Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services. It requires the program to train 8-10 students annually (across undergraduate and graduate disciplines like psychology, social work, and education) with 20-40 hours per week of hands-on clinical training, academic coursework, and research opportunities. The program must include a capstone project focused on improving quality of life for adults with autism. The bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to fund the program's establishment and implementation.

Maddy summarySCR 43 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to New Jersey's Constitution that grants every resident a fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment, including pure water, clean air, a safe climate, and ecologically healthy habitats. It requires the state to act as trustee of public natural resources - such as air, water, public lands, and wildlife - and mandates that these resources be conserved and maintained for all people, both present and future. The amendment specifies that these rights are self-executing, meaning they can be directly enforced in court without requiring new legislation. If approved by voters, this would become a permanent part of New Jersey's Constitution.