Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a 36-month deadline and a two-year transfer window for municipalities to issue special alcoholic beverage licenses in project areas (former federal military installations being redeveloped). It allows these municipalities more flexibility to issue licenses for hotels, restaurants, and bars within redevelopment zones without strict time constraints. The special licenses permit on-premises alcohol sales but do not change the number of licenses or fee structure for these permits. The bill specifically amends existing law (P.L.2018, c.101) to eliminate these time limits for all qualifying project areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's down payment assistance program to provide additional support for first-generation homebuyers. It increases the maximum down payment assistance to $20,000 for first-time homebuyers, with an extra $7,000-$10,000 specifically for first-generation homebuyers (defined as individuals whose parents never owned residential property and who may have been in foster care). The program requires recipients to use the home as their primary residence for five years, complete homebuyer counseling, and repay the loan if they move before the five-year term. The assistance is structured as a zero-interest, forgivable loan if all conditions are met.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's down payment assistance program to better support first-generation and first-time homebuyers. It increases the maximum zero-interest, forgivable loan amount from $15,000 to $20,000, adds an extra $7,000-$10,000 for first-generation homebuyers (defined as those without parental home ownership history or who were in foster care), and requires recipients to use the home as their primary residence for five years. The program must allocate at least 50% of annual funding to first-generation homebuyers, with detailed reporting on recipient demographics and program effectiveness. This directly affects low-to-moderate income homebuyers seeking to purchase single-family homes through the state’s housing agency.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement for teacher candidates in New Jersey to pass a basic skills test (such as the Praxis Core) to obtain certain teaching certificates. Specifically, it eliminates the need for candidates seeking a certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, provisional certificate, or standard instructional certificate to complete a Commissioner-approved test of basic reading, writing, and math skills. The change directly affects individuals pursuing teaching certification in the state by streamlining the certification process. It repeals the existing law requiring these tests, making certification more accessible for educators meeting other standard qualifications. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.723 million from existing funds - $896,678 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues (via the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund) and $826,321 from the 2009 Farmland Preservation Fund - to the State Agriculture Development Committee. The funds will provide grants covering up to 50% of the cost for nonprofit organizations to acquire development easements or fee simple titles on farmland, with agricultural deed restrictions, to preserve working farms. The bill specifically allocates funds to five farmland projects across Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren counties. These grants are funded through reallocated monies previously designated for farmland preservation, not new tax revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes clearer definitions and duties for different types of real estate agents in New Jersey, including buyer's agents, seller's agents, dual agents, designated agents, and transaction brokers. It requires real estate professionals to provide written disclosures about their agency relationship before or at the time of signing a brokerage agreement, and mandates specific signage at open houses to inform prospective buyers about the agent's representation. The bill also requires real estate licensees to complete at least one hour of agency-related continuing education during each biennial license renewal period. These provisions directly affect homebuyers, sellers, and real estate professionals in New Jersey by enhancing transparency and consumer protections in real estate transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill gives sexual assault victims in New Jersey the right to be notified about specific developments in their criminal case. It requires law enforcement to inform victims if: - A DNA profile of the attacker was collected from evidence, - That DNA was entered into a state or federal database, - A match was found between the attacker’s DNA and a database profile (unless it would interfere with an active investigation), or - Evidence was processed by a forensic lab and compared to a database. Victims can request written or electronic updates on evidence status and designate another person to receive these notifications. The bill does not affect case outcomes if notifications are missed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to provide free menstrual products (tampons and sanitary napkins) in all public women's restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and at least one men's restroom in every campus building - including lecture halls, residence halls, libraries, and dining facilities. It mandates a variety of products (regular to super-plus, allergy-friendly options) and requires educational materials about menstrual health and disposal. The state will cover all costs for these products, with institutions reimbursed annually through a documentation process. The bill directly affects students and staff at New Jersey’s public higher education institutions, ensuring access to essential hygiene products across all campus facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to provide reading intervention programs for students in kindergarten through third grade who show reading deficiencies, as identified by approved assessments. The program must use a data-driven support system to deliver explicit instruction in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, while regularly monitoring student progress and adjusting support as needed. School districts must adopt high-quality instructional materials based on scientific reading research, and the state education department must provide age-appropriate materials and develop an evaluation process for the program. The law applies starting with the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey school psychologists and counselors to complete an eight-hour mental health first aid training course. The training, developed by the Department of Education with input from Human Services, must cover identifying mental health signs in youth, risk factors, crisis interventions, and specific conditions like anxiety and depression. School staff must complete the training within their first year of employment and again at least once every three years as part of professional development. The course content must be updated every three years to reflect current mental health practices.