How to get a GE/Jasco zwave switch to send an 'On' event to the Hub when physically triggered even if the switch has been already turned on

I'll look into this for the old device types. (EDIT: done, see below)

The new models already do what you want, as all physical interactions log button press events (regardless of on/off state). And as you already know the motion dimmer/switch driver already does this as well.