Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a rebuttable presumption against granting child custody to a parent if there is clear evidence of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual contact, or endangering a child by that parent, regardless of whether a court case is pending. It expands the factors courts must consider in custody cases to include the child's emotional and physical safety, whether the child fears for their safety, and whether a parent has an improper motive for seeking custody. The bill adds "coercive control" to the definition of domestic violence, defining it as patterns of threatening, humiliating, or intimidating actions meant to make a person dependent through isolation, financial control, monitoring, or other tactics. This directly affects parents accused of domestic violence or related offenses and children in custody cases across New Jersey courts. The bill does not change the requirement that courts prioritize the best interests of the child in custody decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill, A300, requires New Jersey hospitals to allow patients with developmental disabilities to have a designated caregiver - such as a family member, guardian, or direct support professional - accompany them throughout their entire hospital stay, except during active surgery where safety concerns arise. Hospitals must provide patients or their guardians an opportunity to choose this caregiver at admission, document the choice (or refusal) in medical records, and permit the designated person to stay with the patient. It clarifies that the designated caregiver is not obligated to provide care during the stay or after discharge. The bill applies specifically to patients with developmental disabilities admitted to licensed general hospitals in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides additional state school aid to New Jersey districts that experienced funding reductions during the pandemic years (2019-2020 through 2023-2024), reimbursing them for the total amount of those past cuts. Funds must be used exclusively for pandemic-related academic recovery, including tutoring, mental health services, evidence-based learning programs, and hiring staff for new educational initiatives. Districts cannot use the funds for school facility repairs, general salary increases, or capital projects. The bill requires districts to report how they spend the aid to the Education Commissioner, with penalties including withheld state aid if funds are misused.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3170 bill would create special license plates displaying "Combat Action Ribbon" and its emblem for veterans who earned this military award. Applicants must provide proof of receiving the ribbon (via DD-214 form) and pay a $50 application fee plus a $10 annual renewal fee. The fees fund a dedicated account supporting veteran programs, with private donations covering initial costs up to $25,000. The program requires private funding to launch and could end if annual plate costs exceed the $50 fee for two consecutive years.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1187) creates a safe haven program at fire stations to assist victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence. It requires firefighters to receive specific training on victim advocacy, legal resources, and emergency shelter referrals, while ensuring services are available regardless of citizenship status. The bill appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to the Human Trafficking Survivor’s Assistance Fund to establish and implement this program, with the Attorney General overseeing coordination with relevant agencies. The program directly affects victims seeking immediate assistance and firefighters who will serve as first responders to connect them with support services.

Maddy summaryACR 61 designates February 25-March 3, 2018, as "Eating Disorders Awareness Week" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation encouraging public officials, healthcare providers, and residents to observe the week with awareness activities. It aims to increase public understanding of eating disorders - highlighting their seriousness, impact, and the need for early intervention - without creating new laws or funding. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents by promoting community education and aligning with the National Eating Disorders Association’s 2018 campaign theme. It serves as a symbolic recognition, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows police officers to be assigned to polling places located in public schools during elections. Specifically, it amends election law to permit district boards, election superintendents, or county clerks to request police presence at these school-based polling locations for maintaining order and providing security. The request must be made explicitly for school polling places, and any assigned officer must focus solely on election security during voting hours. The bill also requires documentation of such assignments, including the reason, duration, and outcome, to be recorded and made publicly available.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the requirement for public school employees in New Jersey to maintain their principal residence within the state. It amends New Jersey Statute 52:14-7 to remove the residency rule specifically for school district employees, charter schools, and Renaissance school projects. The change applies only to these educational roles, while residency requirements remain in place for all other state and local government employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey law to allow 14- and 15-year-old minors to work until 11 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. between Memorial Day and October 1 each year, with written parental permission. It specifically affects young workers in retail, restaurants, or similar settings during this summer period. The bill does not alter other restrictions, such as minimum age requirements, maximum weekly hours, or the need for parental consent. Current law already permits this age group to work until 9 p.m. during a similar timeframe (Memorial Day to Labor Day), so this extends the evening curfew by two hours.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill adds the use of the Internet as an aggravating factor in sentencing for individuals convicted of sex crimes against children under 18. It requires lifetime GPS monitoring for offenders who used the Internet to commit these crimes, regardless of when the conviction occurred. The legislation amends sentencing guidelines to increase penalties for such offenses and mandates continuous electronic monitoring for life after release from prison. It directly affects sex offenders who commit crimes against minors using online methods. The bill aims to enhance child safety through increased penalties and long-term monitoring of these offenders.