Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4012) establishes a minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. It requires that these services be reimbursed at the average rate currently paid for Day Habilitation Services Tiers D and E under the Division of Developmental Disabilities program - approximately $9.38 per 15 minutes, compared to the current $3.65 rate for brain injury day programs. The policy directly affects licensed brain injury service providers and Medicaid beneficiaries requiring brain injury treatment. The change applies to services provided on or after the bill's effective date, aligning brain injury service reimbursement with rates for comparable developmental disability services.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a tax credit program allowing New Jersey taxpayers to receive a 75% credit against their state income tax for donations to approved scholarship organizations. It directly affects nonpublic school students who meet income criteria (household income ≤2.6x the federal reduced-price lunch threshold) attending schools complying with anti-discrimination and anti-bullying laws. The key mechanism requires scholarship organizations to spend 95% of donations on student aid, limit administrative costs to 5%, and adhere to strict eligibility rules. The program would have been capped at $37.5 million annually (adjusted for inflation), but the bill was withdrawn from consideration on June 13, 2024, and never became law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to study the causes and risk factors of youth suicide, including mental health conditions, substance use, trauma, and family history. The DOH Commissioner must consult with state agencies and the Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council to review suicide data, health records (while respecting privacy laws), and scientific research. Within 180 days of the bill's effective date, the DOH must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature with findings and recommendations for potential policy changes. The bill expires once the report is delivered, making it a time-bound study mandate rather than an immediate law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's bias intimidation law to specifically include Sikhism as a protected class, making it illegal to commit hate crimes against Sikhs based on their religious identity. It appropriates $100,000 annually for three years to fund Sikh awareness educational initiatives, including law enforcement training on Sikh identity features like turbans and religious symbols to prevent misclassification of hate incidents. The bill requires the Office of Attorney General to develop public awareness campaigns and educational programs about Sikhism for public schools, and mandates that all public entities incorporate anti-Sikh hate into their bias intimidation policies and diversity programs. These changes directly affect Sikhs in New Jersey (who are the second-most targeted religious group for hate crimes) and all public institutions across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides an additional $500,000 in state funding from the General Fund to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) for the New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group. The funding directly supports the group’s existing services for New Jersey veterans, including financial assistance, housing support, emergency transportation, and benefits counseling. The bill adds this amount to the DMVA’s "Veterans Program Support" budget line, ensuring the group can continue its community-based outreach and coordination with other veteran service providers. This is a funding allocation, not a new policy, and it specifically aids veterans in New Jersey who access these support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Women Veterans Coordinator position within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). The coordinator, required to be a veteran, will directly assist women veterans discharged under honorable conditions from U.S. military service (including the NJ National Guard) with issues like employment, housing, healthcare, and benefits access. Key duties include developing statewide support programs, creating informational materials for veterans and their families, and making annual recommendations to the Governor and Legislature about improving services. The role mandates quarterly meetings with women veterans and requires the DMVA to implement rules to support these efforts.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2930) amends the state's Open Public Records Act to clarify who can access government records without paying commercial fees. It specifically defines "commercial purpose" to exclude journalists, non-profits (including 501(c)(3) groups), labor organizations, and researchers working for these entities. The bill also adds new definitions, including "data broker," and strengthens privacy protections for personal information in government records. It appropriates $10 million to support implementation, including training and technology updates for public agencies. The changes directly affect residents, media, researchers, and advocacy groups seeking government records for non-commercial purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires real estate licensees in New Jersey who use text messages to solicit homeowners about selling their homes to send a separate, pre-solicitation text. The initial message must state that the sender is a licensed real estate professional, identify their employer, and clarify it is a solicitation. It directly affects licensed real estate agents and brokers who use text messaging for home sale solicitations, as well as homeowners receiving these messages. Violations would trigger existing penalties under New Jersey real estate law. The New Jersey Real Estate Commission must also create a public education program about the rule, including posting it on their website.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3532) creates a New Jersey gross income tax credit for active, unpaid members of volunteer fire departments, ambulance squads, or rescue organizations. It allows eligible members to claim a credit based on miles driven using their personal vehicle during emergency duty, calculated at the IRS business mileage rate, capped at $500 per individual or $1,000 for joint filers. To qualify, members must meet specific service requirements (e.g., 60% attendance at calls/meetings for non-duty-hour volunteers, or 400+ duty hours for those with duty-hour responsibilities) and be in good standing with their organization. The credit is refundable, meaning it can be paid even if the member owes no income tax, and organizations must certify qualifying members annually to the tax division.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to waive or reimburse application fees and transcript fees for veterans, active-duty military members (including Reserve components and New Jersey National Guard), who live in New Jersey and are accepted to the institution. It directly affects eligible military-affiliated students seeking higher education in the state. The key provision mandates that institutions eliminate these specific costs for qualifying individuals at the point of admission. The law takes immediate effect upon passage.