Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to create annual "school climate improvement plans" and establish safety teams to address harassment, intimidation, and bullying. It mandates that school employees report incidents to principals, with superintendents submitting biannual public reports to school boards detailing incidents broken down by protected categories (like race or religion), investigations, and disciplinary actions. Schools will receive public grades based on their climate efforts, posted on school and district websites, and must provide staff training on anti-bullying policies. The law also requires districts to prioritize free prevention programs before seeking grants and document all efforts to foster a positive school environment.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the $10 recreational shellfish license fee for New Jersey residents who are honorably discharged veterans or active duty members of the U.S. military. Currently, New Jersey residents under 62 must pay this fee to harvest shellfish (like clams, oysters, and mussels) for non-commercial use, with a daily limit of 150 shellfish. The amendment modifies state law to add veterans and active duty service members to the existing exemption list that already includes residents aged 62+. The change applies only to recreational licenses, not commercial licenses, and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2805) allows New Jersey municipalities to use up to 30% of funds from municipal development fees - collected from residential developers - to provide down payment assistance grants for first-time veteran homebuyers. Each veteran would receive a grant of up to $15,000, and these grants would not count as income for eligibility in other state programs or for tax purposes. The funds must come from existing municipal development trust funds designated for housing affordability assistance under state law. The bill does not create new taxes or fees but redirects a portion of existing development fee revenue toward veteran homebuying support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires criminal background checks for volunteer coaches, managers, and officials with youth sports teams (members under 16 years old) in New Jersey. It mandates that teams request free background checks through the state police, using fingerprint and name checks, with volunteers providing written consent. Teams must review any criminal history found but cannot automatically disqualify applicants who show clear evidence of rehabilitation. The Department of Community Affairs will manage the process as a central clearinghouse for background check results.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year pilot program to address staffing shortages at New Jersey's three veterans memorial homes (Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland). It appropriates $370,000 to fund two key mechanisms: (1) scholarships covering education costs for current staff pursuing nursing credentials, requiring a two-year work commitment post-graduation, and (2) recruitment bonuses of up to $6,000 per new registered or licensed practical nurse, payable over two years. The program also mandates specialized training in areas like geriatric care and PTSD management for veterans' staff. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs must report annually on participation and effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryBill A 2029 would require New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to conduct a comprehensive financial stress test every three years. The analysis would examine how state revenue (from taxes and federal funds), spending patterns, and emergency reserves might change during economic downturns, including recession scenarios. It would also evaluate strategies to maintain essential services during financial crises and require the results to be published online and included in the Governor's annual budget proposal. This bill directly affects state budget planning processes, aiming to improve preparedness for economic shifts.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $75,000 from the General Fund to the Human Trafficking Survivor’s Assistance Fund, administered by the Attorney General’s Division of Criminal Justice. The funds must be used to provide direct services to trafficking survivors, promote awareness of human trafficking, and develop educational materials and training programs - consistent with existing law (P.L. 2013, c. 51). The fund is non-lapsing, meaning the money remains available until spent for these specific purposes. This supplemental appropriation directly supports victims and programs addressing human trafficking in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 296) increases penalties for human trafficking involving children under 18 in New Jersey. It expands the definition of human trafficking to cover all forms of child exploitation (both sexual and labor), not just sexual activity. Offenders face mandatory life imprisonment without parole, a $25,000 fine (funded to a victim assistance program), and restitution based on the victim’s labor value. The law directly affects individuals convicted of trafficking children, replacing current penalties that allowed parole eligibility after 20 years. This change applies to all child trafficking offenses, regardless of whether the perpetrator mistakenly believed the child was 18 or older.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to create a program within state veterans' memorial homes that provides direct support to family members of residents. The program, administered by each home's resident advocate, offers two key services: (1) timely information on health updates, benefits, financial aid, and community resources upon request, and (2) counseling services including in-home support and referrals to external providers. It specifically defines "family members" as spouses, domestic partners, civil union partners, or children (biological, adopted, or half-blood) of residents who are New Jersey residents. The program must be implemented within 90 days of enactment, placing support services directly at the veterans' homes to improve accessibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires first responder chiefs in New Jersey to report completed suicides to the Department of Health (DOH), directly affecting firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel. Reports must include the suicide's date, the responder's age, salary, service length, race, gender, cause/method, veteran status, and education - without naming the individual. The DOH will aggregate this data and make it publicly available for suicide prevention research. The law applies to all paid or volunteer first responders dispatched for emergencies, including fire, ambulance, and rescue services.