Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Board of Medical Examiners to allow physicians to count one optional continuing medical education (CME) credit toward their license renewal for training on menopause. The training covers menopause's physiological and psychological aspects, treatments, related health risks (like heart health and osteoporosis), and communication strategies. Physicians who complete this training would earn a credit that counts toward their required 100 CME hours for license renewal. The bill defines menopause as the natural process where a woman permanently stops having menstrual periods after 12 months without one. It does not mandate the training but offers it as an optional credit.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to create an automated online platform (the "State Smart Solar Permitting Platform") to speed up approval of residential solar energy system installations. It directly affects homeowners, solar installers, and local governments by replacing slow manual permitting with instant digital reviews. The platform must automatically check code compliance, issue permits within minutes, allow 24/7 applications, and support electronic signatures - handling 75% of standard residential systems. Local agencies must adopt the platform or an equivalent alternative within 18 months, with penalties for non-compliance to fund low-income energy assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1941) requires the New Jersey Commission on Human Trafficking to expand public awareness signage about human trafficking to 12 new types of establishments, including gas stations, staffing agencies, law enforcement offices, nail salons, and Motor Vehicle Commission offices. The signage must display the national 24-hour human trafficking hotline number and meet specific size (8.5" x 11") and language (English/Spanish) requirements. Businesses failing to comply face civil penalties of $300 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent violations. The bill directly affects all covered establishments by mandating visible signage to educate the public on trafficking resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires judges and law enforcement officers in New Jersey to receive training on coercive control as part of their existing domestic violence education. It affects municipal and Superior Court judges handling domestic violence cases, judicial personnel, and all law enforcement officers, mandating initial training within 90 days of appointment or transfer and annual in-service training. The training must cover recognizing indicators of coercive control - defined as patterns like isolating victims, monitoring movements, or threatening harm - and other key topics such as trauma-informed approaches and safety planning. The bill amends current law to update training curricula without creating new penalties or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals approved to relocate from designated underserved communities to maintain minimum services at their original location. Specifically, they must keep the same professional departments, inpatient beds, and essential services required of all general acute care hospitals under current regulations. The original location must operate under the same license as the relocated hospital. This applies to any relocation approved by New Jersey's Department of Health, including those finalized within the past year.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers the New Jersey Historic Trust from the Department of State to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), aligning its statutory home with its current administrative placement since 2002. It updates trustee qualifications, requiring citizen members to have five years of experience in preservation, fundraising, or related fields, and expands the Trust’s authority to collect fees for workshops and loan applications. The Trust will continue its core work preserving historic sites and managing programs like the Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund. The bill ensures all existing functions, personnel, and records transfer seamlessly to DCA without altering the Trust’s mission or operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Energy Independence Bank as an independent subsidiary of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA). It renames the existing New Jersey Green Bank (created in April 2024) as the Energy Independence Bank and transfers its staff, funds, and assets to this new entity. The bank will provide financing, loan guarantees, or other financial support for eligible projects like renewable energy facilities, energy storage, efficiency upgrades, and electric vehicle infrastructure - excluding direct residential lending. It must operate separately from the EDA, maintain its own board (with majority independent members), and cannot guarantee state obligations. This directly affects developers and businesses seeking capital for qualifying clean energy projects across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the Work First New Jersey Child Care subsidy program appropriation by $28 million in the FY2026 budget, raising the total from $565.8 million to $593.8 million. It directly affects lower-income families who rely on the child care subsidy program to cover part of their child care costs. The bill reverses a pause on new applications and a recent increase in family copayments (from 1-5% to 2-6% of income) by requiring the Department of Human Services to resume accepting applications and return to pre-August 1, 2025 eligibility standards and copayment rates. This addresses a projected $25-30 million funding shortfall that had forced the program to limit enrollment and raise costs for families.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5049) removes a current restriction that allows the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to withhold retirement or death benefits from members if they are involved in pending civil lawsuits related to their employment. It specifically prohibits the PFRS Board from delaying benefits due to such civil litigation, though it maintains the ability to withhold benefits for members facing criminal charges or administrative dismissal. The bill requires the Board to adjust benefits after any legal case concludes, rather than holding payments indefinitely during litigation. This change directly affects current and future PFRS members who are involved in employment-related civil disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) rules to include pay for extracurricular activities in teachers' pension calculations. Currently, additional compensation for duties like coaching sports teams, directing school plays, or supervising clubs is not counted toward pension benefits. The bill changes the definition of "compensation" to include remuneration for extracurricular activities beyond the regular school day or year. This change would affect teachers who receive extra pay for these activities, potentially increasing their future pension benefits. The bill applies to all teachers whose extracurricular duties qualify under the new definition.