Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires hospitals providing breast cancer surgical treatments (like mastectomy or lumpectomy) to give patients written notice at diagnosis - before surgery consent - about their rights to consult with any board-certified plastic surgeon (regardless of hospital or insurance network) and coverage for reconstructive surgery under state/federal law. It also prohibits health insurance contracts from blocking doctors from recommending plastic surgeons outside their network or denying reconstructive surgery coverage based solely on a surgeon’s network status. The policy applies specifically to patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer, breast cancer genes, or other breast abnormalities. Hospitals must provide this notice upon diagnosis, ensuring patients understand their options for reconstruction and coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 10% price preference for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses when New Jersey state agencies award contracts paid with state funds. To qualify, a business must be independently owned, have its principal place in New Jersey, be at least 51% owned by service-disabled veterans, and have management controlled by disabled veterans (or their surviving spouses if the veteran dies). If a qualified business meets all contract requirements and becomes the lowest bidder after applying the 10% preference, the state must award them the contract. The bill also ensures surviving spouses retain eligibility if they acquire the business after the veteran owner's death.

Maddy summaryAJR 27 is a ceremonial resolution designating May each year as "Law Enforcement and Correctional Police Officer Appreciation Month" in New Jersey. It calls for citizens and officials to observe the month with activities honoring these officers, and requests the Governor issue a proclamation to recognize their service. The bill directly affects all New Jersey law enforcement and correctional police officers by formally acknowledging their role in public safety through a symbolic annual observance. This is a non-binding resolution with no new funding, regulations, or policy changes.

Maddy summaryBill A 884 reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of certain teachers and retirees in New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). It would require the fund to automatically adjust retirement benefits each year based on inflation, without needing separate legislative approval. This directly affects current and retired educators covered by the TPAF who previously lost these automatic increases. The policy change ensures their retirement income keeps pace with rising living costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-345) amends New Jersey's assault law to specifically increase penalties for assaulting sports officials and participants during sporting events. It adds a new category to the definition of "aggravated assault" under N.J.S.2C:12-1, making it a more serious offense to harm someone acting as a sports official (like referees) or participant (like athletes) while they are clearly performing their duties. This change directly affects individuals who commit such assaults, raising the legal consequences from simple assault to aggravated assault. The policy change is purely procedural, expanding the list of protected individuals under existing assault statutes without altering penalty levels for other offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the president or vice-president of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), the American Federation of Teachers-New Jersey (AFT-NJ), or any local unit representing K-12 teachers to sign an acknowledgement of existing child abuse reporting duties and complete training on those requirements before taking office. It directly affects union leaders who represent K-12 educators, mandating they confirm understanding of current laws (including N.J. Stat. § 9:6-8.10 and § 18A:36-25) and State Board regulations for reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or missing children. The training focuses on procedures for school employees to notify authorities about such cases. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded counseling program to provide mental health services for family members of New Jersey's active-duty military personnel and disabled veterans. Eligible family members (spouses, domestic partners, civil union partners, or children of active-duty service members or disabled veterans who live in New Jersey) can receive up to 10 annual counseling sessions - either in-person or via telehealth - reimbursed by the state. The program requires the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to create a statewide provider list, set reimbursement rates, track session usage, and run outreach campaigns. Mental health professionals must agree to provide all 10 sessions per family member to qualify for reimbursement. The bill defines "disabled veteran" as a New Jersey resident honorably discharged with a VA-recognized service-connected disability.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 341) removes the requirement that all school district boards of education in New Jersey must be members of the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA). It changes state law to make NJSBA membership optional, meaning school boards no longer have to pay dues, select a delegate to the association, or maintain membership. The key provision eliminates mandatory membership and associated financial obligations, allowing boards to choose whether to join or leave NJSBA at any time. This directly affects every school district board of education across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals who are not licensed by the New Jersey Real Estate Commission to send a specific text message before soliciting homeowners about selling a home. The message must state they are unlicensed, identify their employer, and clarify it is a solicitation. Homeowners receiving unsolicited real estate texts from unlicensed senders will see this mandatory disclosure. Violations carry fines up to $10,000, and the Consumer Affairs Division must create public education materials about licensed real estate professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals and medical examiners to report all suicide attempts or deaths by suicide involving first responders to New Jersey's Division of Mental Health Services within three business days. It directly affects police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel who respond to crises. The law mandates the creation of an anonymous state database tracking these incidents and requires an annual report to the Governor and Legislature with aggregated demographic data - without identifying individuals. The policy aims to improve data collection on first responder mental health, which has higher suicide rates than the general population. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.