Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 1908) creates a special "Combat Action Ribbon" license plate for veterans who earned the Combat Action Ribbon, verified through military discharge documents (DD-214). Eligible veterans pay a $50 one-time application fee and a $10 annual fee, with all fees deposited into a dedicated fund. The fund supports programs for combat veterans and covers administrative costs, with initial production costs potentially offset by private donations (up to $25,000). The bill is pending before the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee after being introduced on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Office of Information Technology to create and maintain a single, centralized website to help people navigate mental health and substance use disorder services. The website must provide easily searchable information on treatment options, hotlines, housing resources, state procedures (like involuntary commitment), and agency oversight, all organized by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services and other relevant departments. It directly assists individuals with mental health or substance use disorders, their families, and concerned third parties seeking support. The site must include hyperlinks to providers, educational materials, recovery housing, and state reports, with prominent links on state agency websites. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) to provide public employers (like municipalities and school districts) with detailed health claims data upon request, limiting access to once per calendar year instead of once every 24 months. It mandates specific data including medical claims summaries, top prescription drugs by cost/quantity, utilization trends, and prescription details (e.g., drug types, costs, pharmacy types), while ensuring privacy compliance under HIPAA. The data must be shared with the public employer’s majority employee representatives if the employer requests it. This directly affects public employers participating in SHBP and their employees, enabling transparency about health benefit costs and usage patterns.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for motor vehicle theft and carjacking in New Jersey. For repeat offenses, it raises fines to $1,000 (third or subsequent offenses) and allows courts to suspend driving privileges for up to 10 years. It also creates a presumption of pretrial detention for defendants charged with carjacking who commit related crimes within a short timeframe, requiring courts to hold hearings before releasing them. The fines collected will fund auto theft law enforcement efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to create special "U.S. Navy Retired" license plates for eligible veterans. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of honorable Navy discharge (via DD-214 form) and pay a $50 application fee plus a $10 annual renewal fee. All fees collected fund the "U.S. Navy Veteran License Plate Fund," which the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs uses to support programs for Navy veterans. The plates must display "U.S. Navy Retired" and Navy insignia, with design finalized in consultation with the Adjutant General. The bill does not create new programs but establishes a funding mechanism through license plate fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's funding for high-cost special education services, requiring the state to reimburse school districts 100% of costs exceeding thresholds instead of the previous partial rates. It directly affects school districts educating students with disabilities in public or private placements when costs surpass $40,000 (for public school settings) or $55,000 (for private school placements). The key mechanism updates the reimbursement calculation to cover the full amount of costs above these thresholds, replacing the prior 90% (public) and 75% (private) rates. Districts must apply for reimbursement by documenting expenses, with payments issued in the following school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal process for submitting proposed changes to the Governor's annual budget recommendations in New Jersey. It requires legislators and the State Treasurer to file budget resolutions (proposing additions, deletions, or changes to revenue or spending) by June 1 each year, with all resolutions published publicly online through the Legislative Budget Office by that date. The bill also mandates that sponsors disclose if they or close family members have business ties to entities benefiting from proposed funding increases. These changes directly affect legislators, the State Treasurer, and the public, ensuring transparency about budget proposals before the annual appropriations bill is finalized.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school boards to verify the work authorization of teaching staff and school employees using the federal E-Verify program. It applies to all new hires starting the first full school year after enactment and mandates annual verification for all current staff. The law directs the state education commissioner to provide schools with guidance on E-Verify requirements and federal rules. It does not prevent schools from hiring noncitizen teachers holding valid limited certificates under existing state law. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 855) requires all public high school students to receive mandatory financial literacy instruction covering four key areas: applying for financial aid, understanding higher education costs and funding options (loans, grants), student loan rights and payment choices, and cryptocurrency risks including "get rich quick" scams. It directly affects every public high school student in New Jersey by adding these topics to existing financial literacy curriculum requirements. The bill mandates school boards to integrate these specific lessons into secondary education programs, effective immediately for the next full school year after enactment. The policy aims to provide practical, real-world financial education without endorsing any specific financial products or services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's theft statute to reclassify motor vehicle theft as a second-degree crime (previously third-degree), increasing penalties. It adds a new fine structure: $500 for a first offense, $750 for a second, and $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense, with courts able to suspend driving privileges for up to 10 years. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of stealing vehicles, including repeat offenders. Note: The bill title mentions "home detention for minors," but the provided text only addresses theft penalties and driving sanctions - no home detention provisions are included in the cited sections. The bill is pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee.