Sen. Patrick Diegnan

Maddy summaryS 2725 allows New Jersey taxpayers aged 62 or older, or who are blind or disabled, to deduct up to $50,000 in unreimbursed medical expenses for in-home care or care in assisted living and long-term care facilities. This deduction applies to expenses for the taxpayer, their spouse, or a dependent who also meets the age or disability criteria. The bill also provides a separate $50,000 deduction for funeral expenses of a spouse or dependent who was 62 or older, blind, or disabled at the time of death. Both deductions cannot cover reimbursed expenses or amounts already claimed under existing medical expense tax rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2723) exempts specific motor vehicles from New Jersey's registration fees. It directly affects local Meals on Wheels programs for seniors (as Meals on Wheels America members) and nonprofit organizations providing social services, including addiction and mental/behavioral health support. Vehicles must be owned by these entities and used for purposes other than pleasure or hire. The exemption is added to existing law, removing the fee requirement while requiring special registration plates for these vehicles. This policy change reduces administrative costs for qualifying organizations serving vulnerable populations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates special "We Support the Arts" license plates for New Jersey motor vehicle owners. Owners who choose these plates pay a $50 initial fee and a $10 annual fee on top of standard registration costs, with all proceeds (after covering administrative costs) deposited into a dedicated "Support the Arts Fund" for the New Jersey State Council on Arts. The license plate design will be selected via a statewide contest and must display the slogan "We Support the Arts."

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish an Alzheimer's disease public awareness and education program. The program must include a public campaign covering symptoms, warning signs, and treatment options; educational materials for health providers; and training for police, fire, emergency medical staff, and judicial personnel to recognize symptoms and respond appropriately. DHS will develop and post accessible information about Alzheimer's on its website in English and Spanish, in consultation with the Alzheimer's Association. The law aims to improve public understanding of Alzheimer's, support early detection, and help professionals better assist affected individuals and families.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey colleges and universities to install automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in every athletic facility and student center. The AEDs must be placed in unlocked, accessible locations with clear signage during normal operating hours, within reasonable distance of athletic fields. Institutions must also ensure at least two staff members are trained in CPR and AED use during operations, maintain devices per manufacturer guidelines, and notify emergency services of their location and type. The bill grants immunity from civil liability to institutions and staff using AEDs as required. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in New Jersey hospitals, ambulatory surgery facilities, developmental centers, and psychiatric hospitals. It requires facilities to maintain specific ratios (such as 1:4 for medical/surgical units and 1:2 for critical care) and implement an acuity-based staffing system to adjust for patient needs. Facilities that violate these requirements face civil penalties, with fines deposited into a dedicated fund for nursing recruitment, retention programs, and student loan forgiveness. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities and their nursing staff, aiming to improve patient safety through mandated staffing standards.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S 2555 regulates residential mental health treatment facilities by establishing licensing requirements and care standards. It mandates that facilities provide 24/7 care consistent with ASAM's Level 3.5 standards for patients who don't need hospitalization, limit treatment duration to prepare patients for community care, and prohibit retrospective medical necessity reviews. Facilities must obtain a license from the Commissioner of Health, demonstrate compliance with minimum standards, and cannot operate at the same location as substance use disorder facilities. The bill also exempts these facilities from New Jersey's certificate of need requirements for facility expansions or modifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state, county, and private adult and juvenile correctional facilities to provide free voice calls, video calls, and email services to incarcerated individuals. It eliminates all fees for both the incarcerated person and their family members receiving calls or messages, prohibiting facilities from charging commissions, surcharges, or additional fees. The bill amends existing law to mandate that these communication services be provided at no cost to any party, while allowing facilities to maintain security measures. It also includes an appropriation for implementation, as certified by correctional authorities. The policy directly affects incarcerated individuals and their families across all correctional facilities in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryS 2521 extends the initial duration of temporary courtesy licenses for nonresident military spouses from one year to two years in specific professions, including nursing, social work, psychology, and related fields. To qualify, applicants must hold a current license in another jurisdiction with equivalent requirements, have practiced for at least two of the last five years (counting military service), and pass a background check. The license may be extended for an additional year at the board's discretion. This change applies to military spouses who have relocated to New Jersey due to active duty military orders.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey pharmacists to provide a one-time emergency supply of a chronic maintenance drug (like those for diabetes or hypertension) without a current prescription under specific conditions. It applies when a patient has a prior prescription that has expired or lacks refills, the pharmacist cannot reach the prescribing doctor, and the pharmacist determines that delaying the medication would endanger the patient's health. The emergency supply is limited to a 30-day amount (or standard unit if larger), cannot include controlled substances, and cannot be provided more than once per drug per patient within 12 months. Pharmacists and their employers are granted civil immunity for actions taken under this provision, unless gross negligence or intentional misconduct occurred.