Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey local governments to offer reduced or no beach access fees to children aged 12-17, expanding current exemptions that already cover children under 12. It also revises veteran fee policies by removing the requirement that veterans must have served at least 90 days in active duty or have a service-connected disability to qualify for fee exemptions - now all honorably discharged veterans are eligible regardless of service length or disability status. The bill affects municipalities managing public beaches and bathing facilities, which would need to update local ordinances to implement these changes. It does not alter existing exemptions for seniors, disabled residents, active military personnel, National Guard members, or Gold Star Families.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurers, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and the State Health Benefits Program in New Jersey to cover medically necessary ovarian cancer screening for women with symptoms or at higher risk. Specifically, it mandates coverage for annual pelvic exams, ultrasounds, and blood tests (like CA-125 markers) as part of routine screening. The law applies to all individual, group, small employer, and state-purchased health plans issued or renewed after its effective date. This ensures consistent access to these diagnostic services without additional cost to patients who qualify under the specified criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide property tax rebates to New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. Eligible veterans would receive a rebate equal to their disability percentage of the property taxes paid on their primary residence, with the rebate capped at $5,000 annually. The program is limited to veterans with gross income under $200,000 and does not apply to veterans already exempt from property taxes due to 100% disability ratings. Veterans would need to apply annually for the rebate, and funding would depend on annual legislative appropriations. The bill specifically targets veterans with less than 100% service-connected disability ratings who currently pay property taxes on their primary residence.

Maddy summaryS 3466 extends the special appraisal process for Green Acres and farmland preservation programs in the Highlands Region through 2029, requiring landowners to be provided with two appraisal values when selling property for preservation. The bill allocates $7.5 million annually from constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax revenue to the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council for land preservation, with $5 million for recreation and conservation and $2.5 million for farmland preservation. It creates a new "Preserve New Jersey Highlands Preservation Fund" to support land acquisition and conservation efforts in the Highlands Region, including matching federal funding for watershed protection. The bill also requires distributing state aid to municipalities hosting watershed lands that don't receive existing watershed moratorium offset aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program, providing scholarships to New Jersey residents employed full-time in public service sectors facing critical workforce shortages (such as hospitals, public schools, or first responder roles). Students who complete one year of qualifying employment receive up to $25,000 for two years of college at a public NJ institution, while those completing two years receive up to $50,000 for four years. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents and citizens, have graduated from a NJ high school within the past year (or soon), and apply for other financial aid before receiving the scholarship. The program requires repayment if students are dismissed from school or withdraw without approval, but exempts repayment for approved withdrawals due to medical or family emergencies.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1445 requires public colleges and universities to readmit undergraduate students who withdrew due to military service (including active duty, National Guard, or Reserve service). Schools must reinstate students with their exact academic standing from before their service interruption. Students must submit a written request for the next available semester, and institutions cannot charge application or processing fees for these requests. The law applies starting the first full academic year after its effective date.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3700 establishes a voluntary, three-year pilot program to provide Medicaid coverage for remote maternal health services to eligible pregnant beneficiaries. The program covers remote patient monitoring (like tracking blood pressure or glucose), remote non-stress tests, and tele-ultrasound, using FDA-approved, HIPAA-compliant technology. It targets pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries who: (1) have high-risk pregnancies due to medical conditions, age, or lifestyle factors; (2) live in areas with few obstetric providers; or (3) face socioeconomic barriers like transportation issues. Participation requires a health care provider referral and is contingent on federal approval of Medicaid waivers. The program aims to expand access to maternal care in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for retail theft offenses based on the value of stolen goods, with shoplifting over $500 becoming a third-degree crime. It creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales) and upgrades penalties for "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime. The bill establishes a retail theft unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, and includes new requirements for gift card retailers to prevent fraud through packaging standards and third-party reseller record-keeping. It also creates extended prison terms for repeat retail theft offenders and increases penalties for tax evasion related to retail theft.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public school districts to incorporate cursive handwriting instruction into the curriculum for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It mandates that schools use specific activities and materials to help students achieve legible cursive reading and writing proficiency by the end of third grade. The policy directly affects all elementary students in New Jersey public schools, with no exemptions specified in the bill text.