Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires health insurance plans to cover additional orthotic and prosthetic appliances when a physician determines they're necessary for physical and recreational activities like running, biking, swimming, and sports. It expands current coverage requirements, which already mandate coverage for basic orthotic and prosthetic appliances that are medically necessary, to include additional devices needed for recreational activities. The bill applies to all health insurance contracts in New Jersey, including hospital, medical, and health service corporations, and requires reimbursement at the same rate as federal Medicare. It would take effect 90 days after enactment for policies issued or renewed after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily suspends two charges on residential electric and gas utility bills: the state sales and use tax (under the Sales and Use Tax Act) and the societal benefits charge (under section 12 of P.L.1999, c.23). It applies directly to New Jersey households receiving utility service, exempting them from these fees from June 1 to September 30, 2025. The suspension aims to provide relief from anticipated bill increases, including a 17.2-20.2% residential rate hike starting in June 2025. The bill expires on October 1, 2025, and does not alter the underlying utility rates themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exclude certain retirement savings contributions, qualified withdrawals, and rollovers from New Jersey's gross income tax calculation. It specifically applies to contributions to 401(k) plans, 401(a) pension plans, 403(b) annuity plans, 457 deferred compensation plans, Thrift Savings Plans, and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Qualified withdrawals from these accounts and rollovers from Traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs would not count toward taxable income. The policy aims to provide tax advantages for retirement savings, potentially encouraging more New Jersey residents to save for retirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local police departments and the Division of State Police (which issue firearm purchaser ID cards) to implement automatic voter registration for eligible residents. It mandates that these agencies electronically transmit voter registration information to the state Secretary of State, similar to the existing process at New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission. Individuals applying for firearm ID cards would be offered the option to decline automatic registration. The bill directly affects people obtaining firearm purchaser identification cards at participating police locations, expanding automatic voter registration to these new points of contact.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals New Jersey laws that allowed undocumented students who attended high school in the state for three or more years, graduated from a New Jersey high school, and met other specific conditions to qualify for in-state tuition rates and state financial aid at public colleges and universities. It eliminates eligibility for these students, meaning they will no longer receive in-state tuition benefits or state aid programs that were previously available under the repealed laws (P.L.2013, c.170 and P.L.2018, c.12). The bill does not affect current eligibility for students with T or U visas (victims of trafficking or domestic violence) or dependents of H-1B, O-1, or O-2 visa holders. The repeal takes effect immediately, removing the policy framework that previously supported these students' access to higher education benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1700) requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create a public awareness campaign about perinatal anxiety and develop policies for healthcare providers. It directly affects pregnant and postpartum women (within one year of childbirth), healthcare providers (including doctors and nurse midwives), and birthing facilities. Key provisions mandate that providers screen patients for perinatal anxiety at least once per pregnancy trimester, before discharge after birth, and during early postpartum visits - using either the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) or an approved alternative. Providers must also educate patients and family members about symptoms, coping strategies, and treatment resources, with a focus on including partners and caregivers in the support process.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt poll workers' wages from being counted toward unemployment compensation calculations. Currently, earnings from poll work could reduce or eliminate an individual's unemployment benefits. The bill amends New Jersey's unemployment compensation law to specifically exclude wages earned by members of district boards of elections from being considered "employment" for unemployment benefit purposes. This change would directly affect individuals who serve as poll workers during elections and seek unemployment benefits afterward.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the construction of new crematories within 1,000 feet of public or private schools, residentially zoned areas, or specific recreational spaces like parks, playgrounds, beaches, or conservation areas. It applies to all new crematory construction applications submitted after the bill's effective date, requiring the Cemetery Board to deny permits that violate these location limits. The restriction does not apply to crematories operated within funeral homes under existing law. This policy change directly affects developers and applicants seeking to build new crematories in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a system for approved agencies to facilitate temporary placements of vulnerable individuals (infants, children under 18, parents under 21 with infants, or pregnant women under 21) in volunteers' homes during crisis situations like homelessness, domestic violence, or lack of safe housing. Approved agencies must conduct home studies that include child abuse registry checks and state/federal criminal history checks for prospective volunteers and all household members 18 or older, with costs paid by the prospective volunteer. Agencies must provide weekly oversight, assist parents in restoring stability, and maintain records of all background checks and home study determinations before placements occur. The Department of Children and Families must review and approve all home studies prior to placement. This bill amends existing confidentiality laws to permit disclosure of child abuse registry information to prospective volunteers for these temporary placements.

Maddy summaryBill A4163 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of diseases when supported by medical evidence such as FDA approvals, drug labels, or clinical guidelines. The bill applies to all health insurance plans including individual, group, Medicaid, and health maintenance organization contracts. Insurers must provide coverage without causing unnecessary disruption (like multiple biopsies) and must make prior authorization decisions within 24 hours for urgent requests or 72 hours for non-urgent requests. This ensures patients can access precision medical testing that's clinically supported without excessive administrative barriers.