Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an educational program about state and federal human trafficking crimes, aimed at informing the public. It directly affects the Attorney General's office, which must use $75,000 in state funds to develop and run this program. The key provision is the mandatory public education initiative, funded through a specific appropriation, to raise awareness about trafficking offenses under both state and federal law. The bill does not change existing trafficking laws but focuses on public information. It was introduced in January 2026 and refers to the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a permit program for sonar testing in state waters. It directly affects entities conducting sonar testing (like research or industry groups), except for the military or emergency situations. Applicants must submit a study assessing impacts on marine life and mitigation plans before receiving a permit, which is valid for one year. The DEP must suspend permits immediately if sonar causes marine mammal harm and investigate the incident, with findings published online.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 854 would change how courts handle child custody cases involving domestic violence. It creates a rebuttable presumption against granting custody or visitation rights to a parent if there's clear evidence of domestic violence - including coercive control (a pattern of controlling behavior) - or if a child or parent reasonably fears imminent danger from the other parent. The bill expands the list of factors courts must consider, requiring them to specifically state why they're overriding this presumption. This directly affects parents in custody disputes where domestic violence is alleged and ensures courts prioritize child safety by making it harder to grant custody without addressing safety concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-funded tuition reimbursement program for New Jersey residents who are certified advanced practice nurses (APRNs) with specialized mental health training. To qualify, nurses must agree to provide full-time mental health care in designated underserved areas for 1-4 years in return for reimbursement. The program covers 25% of eligible tuition costs per year of service (capped at 100% total), requiring participants to maintain NJ residency, certification, and service in areas identified by the Health Commissioner as having mental health professional shortages. It explicitly prohibits simultaneous participation with other state or federal loan repayment programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts veterans from paying camping facilities fees at New Jersey State parks and forests. It specifically eliminates fees for campsites, cabins, lean-tos, and shelters for any veteran who was honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or Merchant Marine (World War II). The policy applies to all veterans using these facilities, as defined by state law to include those meeting federal eligibility criteria for veterans' benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows for-profit businesses to become licensed debt adjusters in New Jersey for the first time, subject to two key conditions: they cannot handle consumer funds directly, and must comply with federal debt adjustment regulations (16 C.F.R. 310.4). It amends existing law to explicitly include "for-profit debt adjusters" as a licensable category, replacing the previous restriction that only nonprofit agencies could provide these services. The bill also removes bonding, annual financial reporting, and audit requirements that applied to nonprofits but not to for-profit entities. This directly affects for-profit debt adjustment businesses seeking to legally offer debt settlement services in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for carjacking and establishes a presumption of pretrial detention for specific offenses. It upgrades carjacking to a first-degree crime with mandatory 10-30 year sentences and a 5-year parole ineligibility period (N.J.S. 2C:15-2). For theft by deception involving a motor vehicle when the victim is a minor, it adds penalties under N.J.S. 2C:20-4 and creates a court presumption requiring pretrial detention if charged with either carjacking or this theft offense. The presumption means courts must assume detention is necessary unless the defendant proves otherwise, applying to cases involving carjacking (per P.L.1993, c.221) or theft from minors.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 872) prohibits requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or asking about vaccination status as a condition for accessing many services or activities. It directly affects individuals who have not been vaccinated by making it illegal for employers, schools, healthcare providers, businesses, and public venues to deny access, employment, or services based on vaccine status or refusal to disclose it. Key provisions ban such requirements across 15 areas, including employment, education, healthcare, business entry, and public spaces. Violators face civil penalties of $25,000 plus attorney fees for each violation. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1601) allows school districts in New Jersey to administer certain motor vehicle services for prospective school bus drivers at school facilities, including knowledge tests, manual provision, ID verification, fee processing, and endorsement applications. It directly affects school districts and individuals seeking school bus driver licenses, as it streamlines the process by reducing the need to travel to the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office. Key provisions require the MVC to establish rules for this program, mandate coordination with school districts, and specify that schools cannot administer the required road test. The bill does not change licensing standards but makes initial steps toward obtaining a school bus driver license more accessible through schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to reimburse municipalities for a portion of lost property tax revenue caused by exempting permanently disabled veterans' primary homes from property taxes. It directly affects disabled veterans who qualify for the total exemption (e.g., those with paraplegia, blindness, or amputations from service-connected disabilities) and the municipalities that collect property taxes. The state must pay each municipality 10% of the exempted tax amount annually, plus an additional 2% to cover administrative costs. Currently, municipalities bear the full cost of these exemptions without state reimbursement.