Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health and the Board of Nursing to provide homemaker-home health aide and nursing assistant certification exams in multiple languages. Specifically, exams must be available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Tagalog - minimum languages specified - both in writing and orally. The law mandates these language options to help non-English speakers access certification, directly affecting individuals seeking these healthcare roles. It takes effect six months after enactment, with rules to implement the requirement developed under existing administrative procedures.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A 3438 would provide a $1,000 annual refundable tax credit to staff members working at licensed childcare centers. Eligible staff include full-time, part-time, substitute, and contract workers employed during the center's operating hours. If the credit reduces a taxpayer's state income tax liability to zero, the excess amount is paid as a cash refund. The credit applies to married couples filing jointly (each spouse claims the full $1,000) and takes effect for tax years beginning January 1 following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a process for New Jersey residential tenants to challenge rent increases they believe are "unconscionable" (excessively high). Landlords must provide tenants with a detailed written rationale for rent hikes within 10 days of a tenant's written request, including specific data on Consumer Price Index changes, property expenses, profitability, market comparisons, and property condition. Tenants can then negotiate a lower rent or, if unresolved before the new lease term begins, file a court case where the landlord bears the burden of proving the increase is reasonable. The law directly affects tenants receiving rent increase notices and landlords managing residential properties in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires temporary help service firms in New Jersey to maintain detailed records about their temporary workers and client businesses. Specifically, firms must track worker names, work locations, hours, pay rates, deductions, and client information for six years, making certain records accessible to workers upon request. It directly affects temporary help firms and businesses (third-party clients) that hire temporary laborers in designated occupations like construction, food service, and maintenance. The law amends existing regulations to standardize and expand record-keeping requirements for transparency and accountability. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Labor Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's criminal mischief statute (N.J.S.2C:17-3) to specifically criminalize knowingly damaging, interfering with, or tampering with historic places or sites. It defines "historic place or site" as structures approved for the New Jersey Register of Historic Places, identified in local master plans as historically significant, or officially recognized by the State Agriculture Development Committee. Damaging such sites becomes a third-degree crime, punishable by up to five years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. The law directly affects individuals who intentionally harm protected historic properties, including buildings, monuments, or structures meeting the defined criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises membership requirements for New Jersey's Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage, which promotes cultural and educational programs for Latino and Hispanic communities. It removes the previous requirement that certain appointed members hold a Master's degree in Latino or Hispanic studies or have specific leadership experience in heritage organizations. Instead, the bill requires all public members to have "knowledge and experience in Latino or Hispanic studies or education." The commission will continue to require at least half of its 19 public members to be of Latino or Hispanic descent, with appointments maintained through the Governor, Senate President, and Speaker of the General Assembly.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's proposed Bill A 3444 requires all correctional police officers in state prisons to wear body cameras during most duties, with limited exceptions (such as restroom use, medical appointments, or strip searches). It also mandates security camera systems in correctional facilities. Recordings must be retained for a minimum of 180 days, with extended retention (up to three years) if a complaint is filed, an officer requests it for evidentiary value, or the footage relates to an investigation. The bill applies directly to correctional officers and facilities, aiming to document officer activities and incidents like use of force or disciplinary actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3519) amends New Jersey's sentencing law (N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1) to establish domestic violence victim status as a specific mitigating factor in criminal sentencing. It directly affects defendants who were victims of domestic violence (defined as abuse from a current/future spouse, household member, person with shared children, or dating partner) and whose abuse contributed to their criminal behavior. Key provisions require courts to consider this factor during sentencing, provide trauma-informed reentry support services for affected individuals, and allow for resentencing in cases where this factor was not previously considered. The bill aims to address how the justice system handles cases where domestic violence was a contributing factor to criminal conduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3668) allows New Jersey couples to obtain marriage or civil union licenses and have ceremonies solemnized via live video calls, replacing the current requirement for in-person appearances. It directly affects couples seeking marriage/civil unions, licensing officials, and officiants (like religious leaders), requiring live video interaction, valid ID verification, and digital signing of documents transmitted between parties. Key provisions mandate that video conferences must allow real-time interaction, all participants must confirm their New Jersey location, and signed documents must be transmitted securely to officials. The bill modernizes the process by enabling remote compliance with legal requirements for licensing and ceremonies. If enacted, it would update New Jersey law to permit these services via audio-visual technology, as currently required to be done in person.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires judges, law enforcement officers, and court personnel in New Jersey to receive updated training on domestic violence, specifically adding instruction about "coercive control." Coercive control refers to patterns of controlling behavior, such as isolating victims from support networks, monitoring their movements, threatening immigration status, or making false reports to authorities. The training must cover recognizing these indicators, understanding trauma, safety planning, and racial bias impacts. Existing training curricula for these groups will be revised to include these requirements, ensuring consistent, informed responses to domestic violence cases.