Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's immunization registry policy by requiring written parental or guardian consent for enrollment, instead of automatic registration. It directly affects parents/guardians of children under 18 and individuals over 18 who can opt out. Key provisions include: no automatic enrollment for newborns (replacing current automatic enrollment unless parents opt out), explicit written consent required for all minors, and strengthened privacy protections limiting registry access to authorized health providers and schools. The bill also prohibits discrimination against those who decline registry participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to study the causes and risk factors of youth suicide in the state. The study must examine specific factors like mental illness, substance use, trauma, family history, and social withdrawal, while respecting privacy laws. Within 180 days, the DOH must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature with findings and recommendations for potential policy changes. The bill directly affects New Jersey youth by focusing on understanding suicide causes to inform future prevention efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 346) requires New Jersey school districts to adopt policies prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying that include specific minimum components. The policies must define prohibited behavior using existing state standards, outline expected student conduct, detail tiered consequences (starting with counseling for first offenses and requiring individual intervention plans for third offenses), and establish clear reporting procedures allowing anonymous reports but prohibiting disciplinary action based solely on anonymous tips. School districts must investigate incidents within 10 school days and follow strict timelines for reporting to principals and superintendents. The bill directly affects all public school districts, students, and school staff by mandating standardized approaches to addressing bullying behavior.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to require the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to create a comprehensive public webpage specifically for women veterans. The webpage must include information on medical and insurance issues, veterans' legal rights, benefits, education, and transition resources. It does not establish a new treatment program but mandates the dissemination of existing information about medical resources, including those related to veterans' health needs. This change aligns with the Adjutant General's existing duty to provide public information on veterans' programs and benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes GrantsNJ, a new division within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs, to create a centralized online portal for residents to access and apply for state grants. The portal will list all available grants organized by user type (individuals, businesses, nonprofits, etc.), include eligibility details and application deadlines, and offer multilingual support and tutorials. State agencies must coordinate with GrantsNJ through memorandums of understanding to standardize applications and include their grants on the portal. The division must also launch public outreach campaigns prioritizing underserved communities and submit annual reports tracking grant usage and impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 820) requires New Jersey’s Director of the Division of Taxation to study how state business income taxes affect businesses leaving the state, starting new businesses, and hiring workers. The study will analyze tax return data from eight years before and after the bill’s effective date (covering 2026-2034). It mandates two reports: a retrospective analysis of pre-effective-date data by January 2028, and annual reports for eight years afterward, all submitted to the Governor and Legislature by January 15 each year. The goal is to assess whether tax policies should be adjusted to improve New Jersey’s business climate and reduce tax burdens on businesses operating in the state.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1571) requires health insurance companies to cover diagnosis and treatment for autism and certain developmental disabilities. It directly affects health insurers operating in New Jersey and individuals with these conditions, mandating coverage for screening, diagnosis, and therapies like speech, occupational, and physical therapy without denying benefits based on "non-restorative" treatment. The bill sets annual benefit limits ($36,000 in 2011, adjusted yearly after 2012 for inflation) and requires treatment plans specifying therapies, frequency, and goals. It clarifies that coverage doesn’t replace school-based services but ensures insurance pays for related costs.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 711 requires public colleges and universities to create and maintain cyber security plans to protect student and staff data. The plans must cover monitoring for threats, assessing risks, preventing breaches, and responding to incidents. Institutions must regularly update these plans and consult with the state’s Cybersecurity Center for best practices. The bill defines a "cyber attack" as unauthorized access to personal information (like Social Security numbers or financial data) without proper security, but excludes phishing attempts and legitimate employee data use. It also mandates reporting actual cyber attacks to the state office while clarifying what does not count as an attack.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-414) lowers the minimum age from 15 to 14 for when New Jersey family court may waive jurisdiction over certain juvenile delinquency cases and refer them to adult court without the youth's consent. It applies to juveniles 14 or older accused of specific serious offenses, including homicide, sexual assault, firearm crimes, or drug trafficking. Prosecutors must file a motion with detailed reasons, and courts must review factors like the juvenile's age, prior record, mental health, and victim input before granting a waiver. The change aims to streamline referrals for the most severe cases while maintaining judicial oversight of the process.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship to cover tuition, fees, and required course materials for New Jersey residents enrolled in career-focused programs at county colleges or vocational schools. It directly affects students pursuing certificates, diplomas, or degrees in high-demand fields like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and education, as identified by the state's Labor Demand Occupation List. The scholarship covers costs after other aid is applied, up to $5,000 annually, with eligibility requiring residency, enrollment in an approved program, and either employment or completion of a financial literacy course. Students in associate degree programs may receive support for up to three years, while others get up to two years, all subject to maintaining a 2.0 GPA.