Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill allows prosecutors to request extended prison sentences for repeat offenders convicted of receiving stolen property. It applies to individuals with two or more prior separate convictions for this crime (or substantially equivalent offenses), provided the current offense occurred within 10 years of either their last prison release or their most recent prior conviction. The court must hold a hearing where the defendant can challenge the evidence before imposing the extended term. This changes sentencing options for repeat property crime offenders by expanding eligibility for longer prison terms under specific prior conviction conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 15-member "Task Force on Supportive Technology for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities" in New Jersey. The task force will study how helpful devices and technology (like communication tools or mobility aids) can improve daily life for people with developmental disabilities, focusing on employment, education, and daily activities. It will identify barriers to using this technology and recommend state policy changes, reporting to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months. The task force includes government officials, disability advocates, healthcare experts, and individuals with lived experience. The bill expires 30 days after the task force submits its final report.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 545) requires New Jersey nursing homes and assisted living residences to maintain an on-site supply of COVID-19 antiviral treatments and provide them to residents who test positive for COVID-19 and show symptoms. It directly affects licensed long-term care facilities by mandating immediate stocking and distribution of these treatments. The key provision specifies that facilities must ensure availability and administer antivirals to symptomatic, positive residents without delay. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment but is currently pending in the Assembly Health Infrastructure Committee.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill eliminates all pet adoption fees at local government-run shelters and kennels for active military members (including New Jersey National Guard after basic training), veterans, and reservists. Shelters may adjust their overall fees to offset costs from waiving these fees for eligible individuals. The policy covers standard adoption expenses like vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and wellness exams. It defines "veteran" broadly to include honorably discharged service members and WWII Merchant Marine veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to add "Vietnam Veterans of America" to the list of organizations whose authorized representatives can receive paid leave to attend state or national conventions. It directly affects state, county, and municipal employees who serve as official representatives of Vietnam Veterans of America. The law specifies that such employees may take up to five total paid days per year for convention attendance (including travel time), with unused leave not carrying over to the next year. The bill also removes two outdated organizations from the existing list.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's definition of "harassment, intimidation or bullying" to explicitly include hazing. It requires all public school districts to revise their anti-bullying policies to address power imbalances between students and incorporate this updated definition. The bill directs the Department of Education to revise its guidance documents and model policies to reflect these changes. These updates apply to all public school districts and students, mandating specific policy components, standardized incident reporting forms, and procedures for handling complaints.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 13-member Youth Sports Task Force to study issues in youth sports, including abusive coaching, confrontational parents, and bullying of players. The task force will include experts in bullying-related fields, parents/guardians of youth athletes, a youth victim of bullying, and coaches representing different youth sports settings. It will examine six key areas: protecting against unscrupulous for-profit sports entities, improving financial oversight for youth sports organizations, training coaches to recognize bullying, promoting youth sports as educational, developing parent workshops on proper conduct, and protecting officials from abuse. The task force must issue a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year of its formation, after which it will expire. This bill does not create new laws but initiates a study process to address specific concerns in youth sports programs.

Maddy summaryThe "Madison Holleran Proper Reporting Act" (Bill A 2636) requires New Jersey colleges and universities to publicly post on their websites the total number of enrolled students who died by suicide or attempted suicide in the previous academic year. Starting with the 2019-2020 school year, institutions must update this information annually for public access. The law aims to increase transparency about student mental health outcomes, aligning with data showing suicide as the third-leading cause of death for New Jersey youth aged 10-24. It does not impose new mental health services but mandates annual reporting of aggregate statistics.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Anthony Maruca's Law," requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to complete training on administering epinephrine auto-injectors and carry one device during official duties. It mandates that police departments provide each officer with a one-dose epinephrine auto-injector device, to be stored in patrol vehicles or medical supply kits per health department guidelines. The law directly affects all sworn law enforcement officers in New Jersey who perform duties requiring emergency response. It creates a concrete policy change by ensuring officers have immediate access to epinephrine for anaphylaxis emergencies during their work.

Maddy summaryACR 31 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing New Jersey municipalities to create partial property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and first responders' primary homes. It would authorize cities or towns to pass local ordinances providing exemptions of up to 10% of a home's assessed value for active volunteer members of fire companies or first aid/rescue squads serving that municipality. The exemption applies only to the primary residence of eligible volunteers, with municipalities deciding the exact percentage (up to 10%) and the state not required to reimburse lost tax revenue. This amendment must be approved by voters before it can take effect.