Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded program to provide mental health services to New Jersey veterans through grants. It allocates $2 million from the General Fund to the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to award grants to qualified veterans organizations. These organizations must contract with licensed mental health professionals to deliver services and must qualify as tax-exempt (501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19)) or be federally chartered veterans service groups, including specified entities like the New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group. The program directly affects veterans seeking mental health care and the eligible organizations administering the services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3917) amends New Jersey's existing small business loan program administered by the Economic Development Authority (EDA). It requires the EDA to ensure at least 12% of all loan funds distributed annually go to small businesses owned or controlled by veterans, with priority given to those with service-connected disabilities as defined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The policy directly affects veteran-owned small businesses seeking loans through the program, requiring the EDA to track and prioritize these applications. The change applies to the current EDA loan program without creating new funding, focusing on directing existing resources toward veteran entrepreneurs.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 114) symbolically recognizes the 100th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the United States and Ireland, which began on October 7, 1924, when Irish Ambassador Timothy Smiddy presented credentials to President Calvin Coolidge. It commemorates Ireland’s first diplomatic mission to the U.S. and highlights historical ties, including Irish-American contributions to U.S. society and the enduring economic partnership between the two nations. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes; it is a ceremonial gesture. Copies will be sent to Irish leadership and the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland as a symbolic acknowledgment of this milestone.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3912) makes it a crime to create or distribute AI-generated videos, images, or audio that falsely depict someone as doing something they did not - such as deepfakes used for impersonation or fraud. It defines these AI-generated "false personation records" as a form of identity theft under New Jersey law, with penalties graded by the number of victims affected (e.g., one victim = fourth-degree crime; five or more victims = second-degree crime). Courts can order the deepfake destroyed and a public retraction made at the defendant’s expense, and victims may seek triple damages for financial harm through civil lawsuits. The law applies directly to anyone using AI to falsely impersonate others for personal gain, fraud, or reputational harm.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey employers using AI to analyze video job interviews to first notify applicants about the AI use, explain how it works, and obtain written consent before the interview. Employers must delete applicant videos upon request within 30 days and cannot share videos except with necessary service providers. Employers must also collect and report demographic data (race/ethnicity) on applicants screened by AI to the Department of Labor, which will annually assess for racial bias. Violations carry civil penalties of $500 for first offenses and $1,000 for subsequent offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's Crime Victims' Bill of Rights to better protect and support victims in the criminal justice system. It expands victims' rights regarding plea negotiations by requiring prosecutors to consult with victims before plea discussions begin and to inform the court of the victim's position unless the victim requests otherwise. The bill also requires law enforcement to provide incident reports to victims or their attorneys within five days when domestic violence or sexual assault restraining orders are pending. Additionally, it broadens the definition of "victim" to include parents or legal guardians representing minor victims, and clarifies funding mechanisms for victim services. These changes aim to ensure victims have greater input in legal proceedings and more timely access to information and support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires doctors and nurse practitioners in family medicine, obstetrics, and gynecology to ask female patients with flu-like or stomach symptoms about their menstrual cycle, recent tampon use, and whether symptoms began during tampon use. Providers must inform patients about toxic shock syndrome symptoms and offer testing if symptoms started while using a tampon during an active or recent menstrual cycle. The law applies to medical visits for influenza or viral gastroenteritis symptoms in these specific healthcare settings. It focuses on early identification of potential toxic shock syndrome cases linked to menstrual product use. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Domestic Violence Shelter Pet Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Human Services. It provides funding to domestic violence shelters to cover costs for pets of victims, including food, medication, supplies, and veterinary care, allowing pets to stay with their owners during shelter stays. Shelters must apply to the Commissioner of Human Services for grants up to $50,000 each, with priority given to shelters housing more pets. The program is funded by a $1,000,000 appropriation from the state General Fund.

Maddy summaryThe Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act requires manufacturers and sellers of Internet-connected devices (like smartphones and tablets) sold in New Jersey to include a digital blocking feature that prevents access to obscene material, child exploitation content, and websites involved in human trafficking or prostitution. Companies must ensure the blocking works properly, provide a reporting system for users to flag unblocked obscene content or wrongly blocked material, and actively block child pornography and revenge pornography. Users aged 18+ can disable the blocking by paying a one-time $20 fee, and companies may pay a $20 opt-out fee per device; collected funds support the state’s Commission on Human Trafficking. Violations can result in fines up to $20,000 for repeat offenses, with lawsuits allowed for unreported unblocked content.

Maddy summaryBill A3798 eliminates New Jersey's census-based method for funding special education services, replacing it with a system that calculates aid based on the actual number of special education students in each district. Currently, districts receive special education aid based on an assumed percentage of students needing services, rather than the actual count of students requiring special education. The bill changes this by requiring the State to use each district's actual special education student enrollment to determine funding amounts. This policy change affects all school districts in New Jersey that receive special education aid under the School Funding Reform Act of 2008. The change aims to provide more accurate funding that better reflects each district's actual special education needs.