Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5440) requires New Jersey state agencies like the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Human Services, and the Board of Public Utilities to review and potentially raise income limits for residential customers to qualify for utility bill payment assistance and energy efficiency programs. It mandates that these agencies increase the income thresholds within one year of the bill's effective date. Agencies may seek public input or collaborate with other departments to determine appropriate increases. The change would directly help low-to-moderate income households by expanding eligibility for programs that reduce energy costs. The bill expires once the required income threshold increases are finalized.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Eviction and Homelessness Prevention Program to provide rental assistance to New Jersey tenants who can't pay rent due to pandemic-related circumstances. The program offers different assistance levels based on income: deep subsidies for very low-income households to limit rent to 40% of income, shallow subsidies up to $800 per month for low-income households, and $250 flat grants for moderate-income households paying more than 50% of income on rent. Eligible households can receive assistance for up to two years, with income reevaluations every six months to adjust support as needed. The program is funded by $300 million in CARES Act funds, with the goal of preventing evictions and homelessness while protecting public health.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a third-degree crime (carrying up to 5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine) for someone to enter the dwelling of a domestic violence victim protected by a restraining order against them, if they intend to cause harm or commit another crime. It creates a legal presumption that such intent exists if a restraining order is active or if the person has prior domestic violence charges or convictions involving the victim. This presumption prevents judges from imposing nonimprisonment sentences (like probation) for these offenses. The bill directly affects individuals who violate domestic violence restraining orders by trespassing in a victim's home.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5426) amends New Jersey's domestic violence public awareness campaign to require inclusion of information about coercive control - a pattern of controlling behavior often used in abusive relationships - and expands the languages available for campaign materials. The campaign, managed by the Division on Women in the Department of Children and Families, must now cover coercive control (defined in existing law) alongside other topics like prevention and victim services. It also mandates annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature on campaign activities and requires materials to be available in English, Spanish, and additional languages recommended by the Advisory Council on Domestic Violence. The bill directly affects state agencies administering the campaign and aims to improve public and professional awareness of domestic violence dynamics.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's bribery statute (N.J.S.2C:27-2) to clarify that it applies to benefits received either before or after an official act. The amendment explicitly states that "benefit as consideration" includes any unauthorized benefit, regardless of timing relative to the act. It directly affects public officials who may accept or offer benefits in exchange for votes, decisions, or duties in government matters. The change responds to a 2024 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limited federal bribery law to pre-act benefits, ensuring New Jersey's law covers all such exchanges.

Maddy summaryThis bill replaces the current fixed interest rate (6% per annum) or "legal rate" used in eminent domain cases with a court-determined interest rate. Under the bill, courts would calculate interest after final compensation determination, considering factors like prevailing commercial rates, prime rates, and rates that fairly compensate property owners for loss of use of their property. The change would apply to all eminent domain cases where compensation is being determined. This makes interest calculations more flexible and potentially more reflective of current market conditions, directly affecting property owners and government entities involved in eminent domain proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires housing providers of age-restricted senior housing to provide application forms by mail or email upon a prospective resident's request. It directly affects seniors applying for housing in age-restricted units, improving access for those who face barriers with online systems or in-person collection. The key provision mandates that providers must send requested applications in the format (mail or email) specified by the applicant. This change aims to make housing applications more accessible without altering eligibility rules or housing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $1 million annual "Census Complete Count Trust Fund" within New Jersey's Department of State to support efforts ensuring a full population count during each federal decennial census. The fund, financed by $1 million yearly from the State General Fund, will be invested to generate interest that replenishes the fund. Moneys will directly support state, local, and community initiatives - like outreach and education campaigns - that help residents participate in the census. The Legislature will determine eligible activities for funding in the months leading up to each census.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill clarifies requirements for two key elements of municipal master plans: the land use plan element and housing plan element. It specifies that the land use plan element must describe its relationship to and how it supports the housing plan element, and requires the housing plan element to evaluate housing needs and establish a plan for providing housing, including affordable housing. The bill moves certain detailed requirements from one law to another to streamline municipal obligations under the Municipal Land Use Law. This affects all New Jersey municipalities required to prepare and adopt master plans under the Municipal Land Use Law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1825) establishes guidelines for health insurance plans regarding "step therapy" protocols, which require patients to try lower-cost medications before coverage is provided for a preferred medication selected by their doctor. It requires insurers to base these protocols on clinical guidelines developed by expert panels with conflict-of-interest safeguards, and creates a clear process for patients to request exceptions when step therapy would be harmful or ineffective. Insurers must grant or deny exception requests within 72 hours (24 hours in emergencies), and must report on exception requests and outcomes to the state insurance commissioner. This affects all health insurance carriers in New Jersey, including those offering SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid plans, as well as the patients and healthcare providers who use these plans.