Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3997) prohibits landlords from including class action waivers in rental agreements for claims related to rent control law violations. If passed, such waivers would be void, making it illegal for landlords to prevent tenants from joining class-action lawsuits over rent control issues. Landlords violating this would face a $1,000 penalty per affected unit and could be liable for tenant damages, attorney fees, and other remedies. The law would apply immediately to all current and future rental agreements, including past rent control violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires property owners of hotels and multi-unit buildings with two or more floors (excluding small owner-occupied homes) to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities during elevator outages. Specifically, owners must restore elevator service within two hours or provide alternative access (like evacuation chairs, ramps, or stairlifts) if elevators are out longer. Owners must also immediately notify residents of outages and estimated repair times. Violations carry daily penalties up to $2,500 for ongoing issues, with a grant program available to help cover costs for accessibility equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Responsible Collective Negotiations Act to include certain New Jersey institutions of higher education, such as Rutgers, Kean, Montclair State, Rowan, and NJIT, in the law's coverage. Previously, these colleges were excluded from specific rules that apply to other public employers, meaning their labor negotiations and employee data sharing were handled differently. The change removes this exclusion, bringing these universities in line with requirements regarding negotiation subjects, confidentiality of union communications, and the periodic sharing of employee contact information. Ultimately, the legislation ensures that state colleges and universities follow the same collective bargaining standards as other public agencies in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Whole-Home Repairs Program within the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to provide financial assistance for home improvements. The program targets low-income homeowners and landlords with fewer than ten properties who need repairs for safety, accessibility, or energy efficiency. Eligible homeowners may receive grants, while eligible landlords can access loans that become forgivable if they agree to limit rent increases for at least two years. The legislation also mandates that construction workers be paid prevailing wages and gives priority to seniors, people with disabilities, and those facing immediate health risks. A total of $25 million is appropriated to fund these grants and loans.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing Senior Citizens and Disabled Residents Transportation Assistance Program to provide transportation services specifically for disabled veterans needing to attend medical appointments for service-connected conditions. It directs the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to work with counties to identify veterans' transportation needs and provides funding by redirecting 4% of casino revenue fund allocations (previously used for senior/disabled transport) to cover these new services. The program helps counties pay for expanded transit options, including door-to-door service or subsidized rides, for veterans certified with service-connected disabilities by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This directly affects disabled veterans in New Jersey who require transportation to VA-approved medical appointments but are not covered by existing travel reimbursement programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2026 budget to redirect $500,000 originally designated for the City of Camden's Capital Projects fund to Parkside Business & Community in Partnership, a local nonprofit. The reassignment shifts funds from city capital projects to support the nonprofit's work revitalizing Camden's Parkside neighborhood through commercial development, housing, and community initiatives. This is a procedural budget adjustment that changes fund allocation without creating new policies or altering overall spending levels. The bill specifically updates the appropriations act's line items to reflect this reallocation.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires licensed healthcare providers (including doctors, nurses, and midwives) to conduct regular, private screenings for intimate partner violence during patient visits, using evidence-based guidelines. If a provider identifies potential abuse, they must document findings, provide immediate resources for victims (like local support services), and ensure patients can revoke access to their medical records for alleged abusers under federal privacy laws. The bill mandates that healthcare professionals advise victims during the same visit about removing perpetrators from their authorized medical record access list. The state departments of Children and Families and Health must maintain and update a biennial resource list for providers on victim support services. It directly affects healthcare providers and patients experiencing abuse by current or former intimate partners.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Online Foreclosure Sale Act permits sheriffs and other officials to conduct foreclosure sales of real property online instead of in person. It requires counties to contract with vendors for these sales under specific terms, including a $1,000 fee cap per auction, mandatory public bid visibility during the sale, and identity verification for bidders. The bill mandates that vendors must maximize recovery for debtors and lenders, collect detailed information from successful bidders (including sanctions list checks), and handle funds securely. This change directly affects sheriffs, county vendors, and bidders by establishing a standardized online process for foreclosure sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes clear standards for courts to determine if a rent increase is "unconscionable" (extremely unfair), directly affecting landlords and tenants in New Jersey. Courts must consider factors like the rent amount, landlord expenses, comparable local rents (including HUD data), tenant bargaining power, and property condition, with landlords bearing the burden of proof. It also excludes certain eviction court records from public access - specifically dismissed cases and cases where possession was granted over seven years ago - while exempting rent-controlled properties or regulated housing programs. The law codifies existing court practices to provide consistent, objective criteria for rent disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary quorum rule for New Jersey professional licensing boards (like those for nurses or engineers) that struggle to meet standard quorum requirements. Specifically, if a board cannot get a regular quorum due to vacancies or needing all members present, it can process certain license applications after 90 days of this issue, using just two members (including the chair) as a quorum. The rule applies only to applications not requiring legal review due to background check issues. This aims to speed up processing for applicants without delaying decisions on complex cases. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.