Sen. Joe Lagana

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify reservoirs with documented flooding history and establish maximum water levels that balance flood prevention with water supply needs for communities. Reservoir owners must create and implement approved flood action plans - including flood gate systems - within 90 days of DEP rules. The Office of Emergency Management can order emergency lowering of reservoir levels during severe weather to prevent flooding, after consulting with the DEP. The state will indemnify reservoir owners who follow approved flood plans and comply with emergency orders, protecting them from related legal claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates New Jersey's statewide high school proficiency test requirement for graduation. It directly affects all public high school students and local school districts by removing the mandate that students must pass a state-administered test to earn a diploma. The key mechanism deletes references to the "Statewide assessment test" and "High School Proficiency Test" from existing law, shifting authority to local boards of education to set their own graduation standards. The bill does not create new requirements or assessments - only removes the existing statewide test as a graduation condition.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2059 would create a program allowing groups of nonpublic schools (consortia) to take over transportation for students who legally require bus service from public school districts. Under the bill, participating school districts would pay consortia the current transportation funding rate ($1,022 per student) instead of providing buses directly, with consortia assuming all transportation responsibilities for those students. Consortia could also offer optional transportation to other students (within 20 miles) if parents cover costs, and must refund unused funds to districts. The bill was introduced in January 2024 but was withdrawn on January 9, 2024, before moving forward.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 277) clarifies and updates the state's sexual assault laws by explicitly defining "consent" as "freely given, knowledgeable, and informed agreement" and stating that sexual penetration without such consent constitutes sexual assault. It amends definitions of key terms like "sexual penetration" (including vaginal, anal, or oral contact) and "victim" to specify circumstances where consent cannot be given (e.g., if the victim is physically helpless, mentally incapacitated, or underage). The bill directly affects all New Jersey residents by establishing clearer legal standards for prosecuting sexual assault, particularly in cases involving coercion, incapacitation, or minors. It does not change penalty structures but ensures consent is a central legal requirement for all sexual assault cases under the revised statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities to set the maximum hourly rate for self-directed employees equal to the rate paid to contracted service providers for identical services, duration, and care level. It directly affects individuals receiving developmental disability services who hire their own direct support workers (self-directed employees) and the workers themselves. Currently, self-directed employees typically earn $20-$25/hour for high-acuity community support, while service providers receive $51/hour; this bill would raise the self-directed maximum to $51/hour. The change ensures parity without altering how individuals budget for their services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires community agencies and care residences receiving state services to conduct criminal and motor vehicle history background checks on employees, heads, applicants, and household members at least every two years. It disqualifies individuals with certain offenses, including violent crimes, crimes against family/children, drug offenses, or recent motor vehicle violations like DUI or reckless driving within the past decade. Agencies must verify no disqualifying records exist before hiring or allowing housing, and refusal to consent to checks results in disqualification. The New Jersey Department of Human Services will conduct these checks and notify agencies of qualification status. This applies to all community care facilities and service providers under state contracts or licensing.

Maddy summaryS 1448 (New Jersey) increases the age of "minor" for firearm safety from 16 to 18 years. It prohibits firearm owners from leaving loaded guns within easy access of minors under 18 without secure storage (locked container, secure location, or trigger lock), making non-compliance a disorderly persons offense. The bill also requires police officers who observe unsecured firearms to return later to verify proper storage. This directly affects firearm owners in homes or premises where minors under 18 reside or visit. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryS 266 makes it a crime to knowingly post a judge's, prosecutor's, or court administrative staff member's home address or unpublished phone number online when done with intent to cause harassment or harm, or in reckless disregard of such risk. This law directly affects judges, prosecutors, and court administrative personnel by protecting their personal contact details from public online disclosure. Violations are classified as fourth-degree crimes, punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The bill aims to prevent online harassment targeting court staff by criminalizing the unauthorized sharing of their private information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey general hospitals treating breast cancer patients (including those undergoing mastectomy, lumpectomy, or lymph node dissection) to provide written notice to patients about their rights. The notice must explain patients' right to consult with any board-certified plastic surgeon of their choice for reconstruction options (during or after surgery), regardless of hospital or insurance network affiliation, and confirm coverage availability under state/federal law. It also prohibits insurance plans from including contract terms that block doctors from referring patients to outside-network plastic surgeons or denying reconstruction coverage based solely on a surgeon's network status. The notice must be given when the hospital informs the patient of their breast cancer diagnosis, before they consent to surgery.

Maddy summaryS 1455 provides New Jersey veterans with up to 60 tuition-free credits at the county college in their home county. To qualify, veterans must be honorably discharged residents enrolled full-time in good standing and apply for all available state/federal grants and Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits first. Military service credits awarded by the college count toward the 60-credit limit. The bill does not cover non-tuition fees, which colleges may still charge. This benefit applies to the first full academic year after the law takes effect.