Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's residency requirements for state employees to specifically prohibit commissioners or heads of principal departments in the Executive Branch from holding outside jobs requiring extended absence from New Jersey. It ensures these high-level officials maintain their principal residence within the state and cannot work additional positions that would require prolonged time outside New Jersey. The change tightens an existing rule (R.S.52:14-7) by explicitly excluding these roles from exemptions, requiring full-time residency to prevent conflicts of interest or absenteeism. It applies directly to top state agency leaders, not all public employees. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's human trafficking law to include individuals who profit financially from trafficking schemes, even if they aren't organizers, supervisors, financiers, or managers. It directly affects people who receive money or other benefits from trafficking activities, such as business owners who exploit victims or third parties facilitating exploitation. The key change adds a new subsection defining human trafficking to cover "receiving anything of value" from trafficking, while maintaining a 20-year minimum prison term and requiring restitution to victims based on their labor value. This makes it a crime to profit from trafficking without needing to prove a formal leadership role in the scheme.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public high schools (grades 9-12) to have counselors or teachers discuss career paths in skilled labor, military service, or agriculture with students and their parents. It specifically mandates that military enlistment discussions include information about the military enlistment test. The state education commissioner must also provide schools with resources detailing these career opportunities, required education, certifications, or apprenticeships. The bill applies to all public schools with grades 9-12 and takes effect immediately after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes when annual compensation for surviving spouses of eligible blind or disabled veterans begins. Currently, payments start from the date the spouse applies, which could be years after the veteran's death. The bill requires payments to start from the veteran's death date instead, including retroactive payments for spouses whose veterans died before April 9, 1985 (the date the benefit was first established). It applies to surviving spouses of veterans who were blinded or severely disabled due to wartime service, as defined in existing law. The change ensures spouses receive all accrued benefits from the veteran's death, regardless of when they file an application.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide public boat access at state-owned lakes where boating is permitted, within two years of enactment. The DEP must either build access points or contract with private marinas via public bidding to ensure the public can launch boats with or without motors. It appropriates $1 million from the state General Fund specifically to fund this access. The law directly affects public boaters seeking access to lakes like Greenwood Lake, which currently lacks public boat launches as private marinas restrict or eliminate day-use access.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 409) updates New Jersey's domestic violence restraining order laws. It ensures that a final restraining order continues to protect other people listed in the order - even if the original person who filed the order (the plaintiff) dies. The bill also requires prosecutors to notify all protected individuals (not just the original plaintiff) when a defendant charged with domestic violence is released from custody. These changes aim to strengthen ongoing safety protections for families and others covered by the order.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts hosting college or career fairs for high school students to notify all registered apprenticeship programs in their county about the event. The notification must include the fair's date, time, location, and instructions for apprenticeship programs to register for participation. It directly affects school districts and registered apprenticeship programs by creating a mandatory communication requirement. The bill takes immediate effect and does not establish new programs or funding, only ensuring existing apprenticeship programs receive timely information about school events.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes the Domestic Violence Shelter Pet Grant Program within the Department of Human Services. It provides funding to domestic violence shelters so victims can keep their pets with them during shelter stays, covering costs for pet food, medication, supplies, and veterinary care. Shelters must apply for grants (capped at $50,000 each) with preference given to those housing more pets, using $1 million in state funds. The program directly affects domestic violence shelters and victims who own pets, enabling them to remain together during emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2178) amends New Jersey's Commission on Human Trafficking to specifically require the commission to study human trafficking affecting women and children of color. The commission must identify risk factors making these groups vulnerable, develop prevention strategies, and recommend ways to improve support services for victims. The commission will continue its existing duties - like evaluating laws, reviewing victim programs, and promoting public awareness - but now with a focused mandate on racial disparities in trafficking. It will report annually to the Governor and Legislature on its findings and legislative recommendations related to this specific population.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a $15 fee for special license plates designated for firefighters and first aid/rescue squad members in New Jersey. Currently, these emergency service members pay an additional $15 fee on top of standard vehicle registration costs to obtain the plates. The bill would allow eligible volunteer, part-time, and paid members of fire departments or first aid/rescue squads to receive these plates at no extra cost (only standard registration fees would apply). It requires annual renewal with proof of continued membership and was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.354.