Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires landlords to provide two specific appliances in residential rental units to ensure habitability: a refrigerator that maintains safe food storage temperatures (32-50°F) and a stove that is safely connected (electric with sufficient capacity or gas with permanent fixtures to prevent leaks). It applies to landlords leasing standard residential units (excluding hotels, motels, or transient accommodations) for terms of at least one month. Violations carry a $500 penalty per offense, enforceable by the Commissioner of Community Affairs, the Attorney General, or aggrieved tenants, who may also sue for damages including attorney fees. The law takes effect for new leases entered on or after the second month following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires specific professionals - including doctors, counselors, and medical staff - to report suspected domestic violence incidents to law enforcement when they have reasonable cause to believe a person is a victim. Failure to report such incidents would be classified as a disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine. The law also provides legal immunity to reporters acting in good faith and mandates that institutions (like hospitals) notify their leadership to ensure reporting occurs. The bill updates New Jersey’s domestic violence registry by requiring law enforcement to forward reports to state agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 3-year pilot program in New Jersey’s six highest-crime municipalities (per state police data) to provide grants to non-profit organizations for outreach about the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO). The grants would help non-profits inform crime victims about accessing state compensation for expenses related to crimes. The Department of Law and Public Safety would administer the program and require a post-pilot report to the Governor and Legislature, recommending whether to continue, expand, or make the program permanent. The initiative directly aims to improve access to victim compensation services in communities most affected by crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all corporations doing business in New Jersey - including both domestic and foreign entities - to report demographic details of their directors and senior officers to the State Treasurer. Specifically, corporations must include data on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status as part of their annual filings. The State Treasurer will collect and study this information to analyze diversity patterns in corporate leadership, without imposing penalties for non-compliance. The bill affects all corporations operating in New Jersey and is designed to gather data for potential policy insights, not for enforcement. (Note: The bill was introduced in 2026 and remains pending.)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide all vehicle and licensing services - such as license renewals, registration, and address changes - in person at every MVC agency location, without requiring appointments for walk-in customers. It mandates emergency printing services for temporary licenses, creates an online scheduling system for commercial driver tests at all locations, and requires the MVC to distribute clear informational brochures (both online and in-person) listing all available services. The bill directly affects MVC customers seeking in-person transactions and MVC staff managing agency operations. These changes aim to improve accessibility and reduce wait times for everyday vehicle and driver services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public schools and nonpublic schools receiving federal funding to post specific information on their websites. Schools must clearly state students' rights under Title IX, provide the Title IX coordinator's contact details (including phone and email), and explain how to file complaints - including statute of limitations and investigation procedures. The Commissioner of Education must also send annual reminders to schools about these requirements. The law applies immediately to schools subject to Title IX regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a domestic violence prevention program within New Jersey's Department of Health to help healthcare providers identify and assist patients who may be victims of domestic violence. It requires the Commissioner of Health to develop mandatory training for all licensed healthcare professionals on screening patients during medical visits, recognizing warning signs, documenting concerns, and connecting patients with community resources. The program also mandates creating educational materials for both providers and patients about domestic violence risks, prevention, and available support services. The Department must collect data on the program's effectiveness and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1166) requires the New Jersey State Police Superintendent to create a recovery leave policy for troopers who provide proof of pregnancy. It mandates at least eight weeks of continuous paid leave after childbirth, with full pay and benefits (not counted as sick leave or deducted from sick leave balances), and prohibits residency restrictions or integrity checks during this period. The policy must be posted on the State Police intranet, including required forms, FAQs, and contact information for inquiries. The bill was enacted into law (P.L.2025, c.259) and took effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a $50 fee for filing a certified copy of a court-ordered name change in New Jersey. It directly affects residents who need certified copies for legal purposes, such as after marriage, divorce, or other life events requiring a name change. The key provision deletes the existing $50 fee line (Section 11(d)) from state law, replacing it with no fee for this specific service. The change applies immediately upon enactment, removing a cost for individuals seeking to update official records.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax incentives for New Jersey residents with disabilities to save for disability-related expenses through ABLE accounts. It provides a one-time $750 dollar-for-dollar matching grant for initial deposits into a New Jersey ABLE account (for taxpayers earning $150,000 or less annually) and allows a state tax deduction for all contributions to these accounts. The matching funds are subject to annual state budget approval, with the Department of Human Services determining allocation if funding is insufficient. The program expands New Jersey’s existing ABLE program, which allows tax-advantaged savings for expenses like housing, education, and assistive technology, without affecting Medicaid eligibility.