Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the time limit for prosecuting human trafficking crimes in New Jersey. It specifically eliminates the current 5-year statute of limitations for offenses listed under N.J.S.2C:11-3 (human trafficking) and similar statutes. As a result, prosecutors can bring charges for these crimes at any time, regardless of when the trafficking occurred. This directly affects human trafficking victims by enabling legal action even years after the crime, and it shifts the burden to prosecutors to pursue cases without time constraints. The change applies immediately to all unbarred human trafficking cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-1189) requires New Jersey to provide additional state school funding to reduce property tax burdens for residents. It directly affects school districts that experienced state aid reductions between 2018-2019 and 2022-2023, directing the state to pay them retroactive aid equal to their past funding losses. Key mechanisms include calculating base aid amounts based on historical funding formulas, mandating districts receiving increased state aid to lower property tax levies by the same amount, and requiring annual property tax reductions if state aid rises. The bill appropriates $2.9 billion to implement these changes, aiming to ensure school funding aligns with residents' ability to pay property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local police departments and the Division of State Police (which issue firearms purchaser ID cards) to implement automatic voter registration for eligible residents. It applies directly to people obtaining firearms ID cards at these locations, who would be offered voter registration unless they decline. The bill mandates that these agencies electronically transmit eligibility information (age, citizenship, address) to the Secretary of State, following existing rules used at the Motor Vehicle Commission, including providing clear opt-out notices to applicants. This expands automatic voter registration to new locations without changing eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 373) requires school safety teams to include coaches and broadens the definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" to explicitly include hazing behavior. It directly affects public schools, coaches of athletic programs, and advisors of extracurricular activities by mandating they complete annual anti-bullying training focused on protected characteristics like race, gender, and disability. Key provisions include adding coaches to school safety teams (which must meet twice yearly), expanding bullying definitions to cover hazing, and requiring districts to train staff on preventing bullying based on protected categories. The bill also mandates schools to incorporate anti-bullying policies into staff training and provide accessible policy information to relevant school personnel.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires owners of seasonal rental properties (short-term rentals under 125 days) to clearly state in all advertisements whether pets are permitted. If they fail to disclose this, renters can cancel their agreement within 12 hours of moving in and receive a full refund of any payments. Online rental platforms and real estate agents acting as the owner’s representatives are not held liable for the owner’s failure to provide this notice. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2784) requires courts to consider the results of a domestic violence assessment before dissolving protective orders in cases where a defendant has two or more such orders. It directly affects defendants seeking to end multiple domestic violence restraining orders and the courts handling those requests. The key mechanism mandates that defendants with two or more orders undergo a court-ordered domestic violence assessment (at their own cost), and the court must weigh the assessment findings alongside other factors like victim safety and the defendant’s history. The bill updates existing procedures to ensure courts have additional evidence about the defendant’s risk before ending protective measures.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 370) requires public school districts to update anti-bullying policies and staff training to specifically address social media's role in harassment, intimidation, and bullying. It mandates that schools incorporate instruction on social media-related bullying into employee training programs and school-wide prevention efforts, including topics like protected characteristics and digital safety. The bill also revises student learning standards to include social media education within bullying prevention curricula. These changes apply directly to all New Jersey public school districts, staff, and students, with implementation supported through existing state resources and training programs.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1469) allows state, county, and local governments to create "special event zones" around large gatherings (25+ attendees or approved events) to improve traffic safety. Within these zones, authorities can temporarily lower speed limits and ban "exhibition driving" (reckless maneuvers like tire screeching or driving on vehicle roofs). Drivers violating speed limits or exhibition driving rules in these zones face higher fines - up to $1,000 - and additional penalties for certain offenses. The zones remain active during the event and for a reasonable time before/after, with clear signage indicating restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to respond electronically to written comments submitted via its electronic mailing address about proposed fare increases or major service cuts. It directly affects NJT and the public, as it mandates written responses to all electronic comments within the process for major service changes. The key mechanism is the new requirement for NJT to provide electronic written responses to comments received at its designated email address, supplementing existing public hearing requirements. The bill is pending in the Assembly Transportation Committee as introduced on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year Mental Health Awareness Pilot Program within New Jersey's Department of Education, directly affecting middle and high school students in participating school districts. School districts must apply with detailed data on student enrollment, absenteeism, academic performance, socioeconomic status, and current mental health staffing to be selected. The Commissioner will choose six districts - representing all regions and urban/suburban/rural settings - to implement innovative mental health awareness initiatives and teach students coping skills for stress management. After two years, the Commissioner must report to the Governor and Legislature on the program's implementation and whether it should continue or expand.