Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include instruction on the dangers of texting while driving in health education classes for students in grades 9 through 12. The curriculum must cover how cell phone use while driving causes erratic behaviors like lane-weaving and sudden speed changes, leading to accidents, and provide statistics on related injuries and fatalities. The state education commissioner will supply schools with sample lesson materials and resources to support this teaching. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1505) amends computer crime laws to specifically address disrupting online meetings or teleconferences ("bombing"). Currently, unauthorized disruption is a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in prison or $10,000 fine). The bill increases penalties to a third-degree crime (3-5 years in prison or $15,000 fine) if the disruption involves posting obscene material (violating N.J.S.2C:34-3) viewed by minors under 18, or if the damage exceeds $5,000. For disruptions causing major public service interruptions (affecting 10+ structures for 2+ hours, or creating risk of death/injury) or damage over $250,000, it becomes a first-degree crime with mandatory minimum parole terms.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey school districts and public colleges/universities from adopting policies that block active-duty military members or veterans from speaking to students. It specifically bans restrictions on military/veteran speakers at school events, classes, assemblies, sports teams, clubs, or graduation ceremonies. Institutions that violate this law risk having state funding withheld by the Commissioner of Education (for schools) or the State Treasurer (for colleges). The bill requires school districts to forward requests from military/veterans to county superintendents and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3203) creates a sexual assault prevention and response program within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, including a dedicated coordinator who operates independently from military chain of command. The program directly affects service members (including New Jersey National Guard members) who experience sexual assault or harassment, providing confidential complaint options, victim advocacy services, and access to compensation. Key provisions allow victims to file confidential complaints, convert them to formal complaints, receive notices about subsequent accusations against the accused, and have protective orders filed on their behalf with consent. The program requires annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing prevention efforts, incident statistics, training gaps, and response strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3171) requires the New Jersey Veterans' Memorial Homes in Paramus and Menlo Park to convert at least one section in each facility to single-occupancy rooms and upgrade their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to infection control standards. The Adjutant General may also require additional modifications like negative pressure ventilation for infectious disease control. Funding will come first from federal block grants (including American Rescue Plan Act funds) allocated to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, with state General Fund money covering shortfalls if needed. The changes directly affect veterans residing at these two specific facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill criminalizes occupying an empty or vacant home without the owner's permission, addressing what the bill calls "squatting." It creates three specific offenses: forcibly entering a vacant dwelling (housebreaking), taking up residence without permission (unlawful occupancy), and reentering after a court-ordered eviction (unlawful reentry). All are classified as fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The bill presumes a person knows they lack permission unless they provide a notarized rental agreement with the owner's contact details, changing the current process where owners must seek civil court eviction.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to permit graduating high school students to wear a military sash or stole (issued by a U.S. military branch) during graduation ceremonies. It directly affects students who have completed all diploma requirements but are not necessarily active military members - unlike the existing law, which only covered dress uniforms for active service members. The key provision expands the allowable military attire to include sashes/stoles worn atop graduation robes, without requiring active service status or completion of basic training. The change applies immediately to all public school graduation ceremonies across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health practitioners in New Jersey - including clinical social workers, psychologists, counselors, and therapists - to complete suicide prevention training. New license applicants must complete four hours of approved training as a condition of licensure, while currently licensed practitioners must complete four hours within one year of the bill's effective date and every six years thereafter. The training must cover suicide prevention, assessment, screening, treatment, and management in clinical settings, and must be approved by the Division of Consumer Affairs. Practitioners must submit proof of completion to their respective licensing boards.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits police officers to be assigned to schools serving as polling places during elections, specifically for security purposes. School districts, election officials, or county clerks can request this police presence at school-based polling locations. Officers assigned for this role must not interfere with voters, and violating this rule would be a crime of the third degree. The law updates existing election statutes to explicitly allow such assignments at schools, clarifying that security at these sites is permitted under specific conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new fourth-degree criminal offense for using GPS or location-tracking devices to follow a vehicle with the intent to commit an unlawful act, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, or theft. It directly affects individuals who misuse tracking technology to monitor others for harmful purposes. The key provision mandates a minimum five-year prison sentence for this offense under New Jersey's sentencing law (N.J.S.2C:43-7), which is an enhanced penalty compared to standard fourth-degree crimes. The bill aims to address technology-facilitated abuse by imposing stricter consequences for tracking used in unlawful contexts.