Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill elevates severe animal cruelty against domestic pets to a second-degree crime, punishable by 5-10 years in prison or fines up to $150,000. It specifically targets acts like torture, mutilation, or causing death through extreme indifference to a pet's life - such as repeatedly beating or poisoning an animal. The law applies directly to individuals who commit these acts against companion animals, while maintaining existing penalties for less severe abuse. It is named "River's Law" after a pet that suffered such cruelty. The bill amends New Jersey's animal cruelty statute (R.S.4:22-17) to create this higher penalty tier.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits municipal charter commissions from scheduling public votes on adopting optional municipal government plans at special elections. Instead, such votes must be placed on ballots at general or regular municipal elections, provided the commission's report is filed with the clerk at least 60 days before the election. If the 60-day deadline is missed, the vote moves to the next general election. The bill affects municipal charter commissions and voters in New Jersey municipalities by restricting when these government structure decisions can be decided by the public. It amends the Optional Municipal Charter Law to ensure these votes occur only at standard municipal election times.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits to New Jersey-based small businesses during their first three years of profitability. Qualified businesses (those registered in NJ, with no more than 50 employees in their first year, and under $100,000 net income) receive credits equal to 75% of their tax liability in the first year, 50% in the second year, and 25% in the third year. Businesses must obtain pre-approval from the Division of Taxation before applying for these credits, and the credits can only be used to offset tax liability for the specific year they apply to. The bill aims to reduce tax burdens during critical early years of business operation to support growth.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1537) amends New Jersey law to expand permitted activities for breweries holding limited brewery licenses. It allows these license holders to host unlimited on-premises special events (such as weddings, trivia nights, and live music) without requiring permits or electronic notifications to the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The bill also permits up to 18 off-premises events annually (like beer festivals and races) with a director's permit, and removes the requirement for breweries to provide tours before serving alcohol on premises. Additionally, it eliminates the need for server certification under industry-recognized training programs and allows limited breweries to sell soda and coordinate with food vendors for food service on their premises.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's domestic violence law to explicitly include psychological abuse and economic abuse in the legal definition of domestic violence. Psychological abuse is defined as behavior causing fear, serious alarm, or distress that substantially disrupts daily activities, while economic abuse is defined as actions hindering a person's ability to manage money, property, or access essential goods and services. The change ensures victims experiencing these non-physical forms of abuse can access the same legal protections, restraining orders, and support services as those facing physical violence under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. It directly affects all individuals protected by the act, including current or former intimate partners, family members, and those in dating relationships who face these specific abuses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a single New Jersey Suicide Prevention Advisory Council within the Department of Health, replacing two existing councils (youth and elderly-focused) to streamline suicide prevention efforts. The council will examine prevention needs, make recommendations to relevant entities, and coordinate data collection across state agencies. The bill also requires school staff to complete suicide prevention training, creates a confidential reporting system for suicide attempts and deaths (with legal protections for reporters), and mandates annual reports on suicide data to guide prevention strategies. These changes aim to improve coordination, training, and data collection for suicide prevention across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Dog Trainer Licensure Board within the Division of Consumer Affairs to regulate professional dog training services. It requires dog trainers who provide training for compensation to obtain a license or provisional permit, with requirements including holding certification from an approved program, being at least 18 years old, and demonstrating good professional character. The board will establish rules for licensing, including requiring compliance with standards that prohibit harsh training methods, and will handle disciplinary actions for violations of the law. Exemptions include military K-9 training, law enforcement K-9 training, and services provided by kennel clubs to members under specific conditions. The board will consist of nine members with specific professional backgrounds and will set fees for licensing and renewal.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts New Jersey veterans who are permanently 100% disabled (as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) from paying motor vehicle registration fees for one passenger vehicle. It directly affects eligible disabled veterans who own a vehicle not used for hire. The law requires the Adjutant General and the Motor Vehicle Commission to notify these veterans about the fee exemption. The exemption applies to vehicles registered in the veteran's name and does not cover commercial vehicles. The bill amends existing law to update eligibility criteria and add the notification requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State Health Benefits Commission (SHBP) and School Employees' Health Benefits Commission (SEHBP) to annually publish detailed reports explaining how health benefit rates are set. Each commission must produce a report prepared by an actuarial firm, including financial projections, trend analysis, and plan overviews for the upcoming year. The reports must be submitted to the Governor and Legislature, posted online, and followed by a public comment period and at least one public hearing. These changes directly affect the two commissions and increase transparency for state and school employee health benefit programs.

Maddy summaryMichelle's Law requires New Jersey health insurance plans to cover mammograms when recommended by a healthcare provider, regardless of the patient's age. This expands current coverage, which only requires mammograms for women 40 and older or younger women with specific risk factors like family history of breast cancer. The bill also mandates coverage for additional testing like ultrasounds or MRIs after a mammogram if recommended by a provider. This affects health insurance companies, requiring them to cover these services without prior authorization when recommended by a healthcare provider.