Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public colleges and universities in New Jersey to create and maintain cybersecurity plans. These plans must address monitoring systems for threats, assessing risks, preventing breaches, and responding to incidents. Institutions must consult with the state's Cybersecurity Center for best practices, update their plans regularly to match new technology, and report any cyberattacks to the state Office of Homeland Security within 24 hours. The law directly affects New Jersey's public higher education institutions and aims to strengthen their protection against digital threats.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 13-member Youth Sports Task Force in New Jersey to study and address issues in youth sports. The task force, appointed by legislative leaders and the Governor, includes experts on bullying, parents/guardians of athletes, youth victims of bullying, and coaches representing different youth sports settings. It will examine specific issues including protecting athletes from unscrupulous for-profit sports entities, financial oversight for youth sports organizations, coach training to recognize bullying, parent education on abusive coaching, and safeguarding sports officials from abuse. The task force must issue a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year of its formation, after which it will expire.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4106) requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to create a Disabled Veterans Transportation Task Force. The task force, composed of DMVA leadership, transportation officials, disabled veterans, veterans' organization representatives, and county commissioners from specific geographic regions, will study transportation barriers faced by disabled veterans across the state. Its key duties include identifying ways to improve transportation access, developing reimbursement recommendations for travel expenses, and making legislative suggestions. The task force must submit an interim report within six months and a final report within 12 months of its first meeting, with both reports publicly posted online.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4147) changes how New Jersey municipalities can count affordable housing units toward their fair share obligation under the state's affordable housing law. Municipalities would receive credit for one unit per bedroom in community residences (such as group homes, halfway houses, and supervised apartment living arrangements), and two units for each very low income housing unit or special needs housing project. These changes would make it easier for municipalities to meet their affordable housing requirements by counting certain housing types more favorably toward their quota. The bill directly affects municipalities that must comply with New Jersey's affordable housing obligations under the Fair Housing Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to add a special notation to vehicle registrations for drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing. To qualify, applicants must provide medical verification of 41 dB or greater hearing loss from an ENT or an audiologist certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The notation would only appear in law enforcement systems during traffic stops to alert officers, and would apply to registrations issued or renewed 180 days after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires websites and online platforms to verify the age of users attempting to access content containing a "substantial portion" of material harmful to minors (defined as content with over one-third harmful material, such as explicit sexual content or lacking artistic value for minors). It applies to entities like social media platforms and websites, prohibiting minors under 18 from accessing such content unless the platform verifies their age and confirms the content is suitable for them. Platforms must use reasonable age verification methods (e.g., digital ID checks) and follow division-established standards for content suitability. The bill is pending before the New Jersey Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee after being introduced on April 4, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill would expand privileges for craft alcoholic beverage manufacturers (including those with limited brewery, cidery, meadery, and craft distillery licenses) by allowing them to hold up to 25 off-premises special events annually, unlimited on-premises special events and private parties, and serve alcohol tableside with certified staff. It removes the current requirement that these manufacturers must offer tours to serve alcohol on-premises, and increases the annual production limit for restricted brewery licenses from 10,000 to 300,000 barrels. The bill also permits these manufacturers to offer limited food items, coordinate with food vendors (with restrictions), and show televised events without special permits. Additionally, it allows for outdoor consumption with approved tap systems and provides flexibility for promotional discounts.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Transit Accountability Act (A4096) requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to hire an independent auditor within 90 days to examine its financial management and budget reporting practices since the 2018 Executive Order No. 5 assessment. The audit must cover pandemic impacts on service demand and finances, evaluate current funding adequacy, and recommend improvements to governance, hiring, and customer service. NJT must submit the audit findings to the Governor and Legislature, then adopt the recommended policies within six months (with an option to explain exceptions). This bill directly affects NJT's operational transparency and financial accountability, aiming to address historical funding mismanagement identified in prior assessments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires non-profit organizations that train service dogs for disabled veterans to register annually with New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs. Registered organizations must provide each trained dog with a vest or harness labeled "DISABLED VETERAN ASSISTANCE DOG" (or "DVAD") and featuring the organization's logo, and issue an identification card to the veteran handler upon request. The card must include the handler's name, the dog's name and breed, and the training organization's name. Violating these requirements is deemed a consumer fraud violation under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities, counties, and school districts to report cybersecurity incidents through a standardized online form developed by the Attorney General and the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC). Within 30 days of a report, the NJCCIC must contract an independent cybersecurity firm to audit the entity’s response and cybersecurity program, identifying vulnerabilities and recommending improvements. All relevant employees must complete annual cybersecurity training and verify completion to their governing body, with entities able to seek reimbursement for associated costs. Incident reports, audit findings, and corrective plans are exempt from public disclosure under the Open Public Records Act.