Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5342) requires New Jersey's Office of Homelessness Prevention to partner with county agencies or nonprofits in every county to issue state-recognized identification and assist with obtaining birth certificates for people experiencing homelessness. It directly affects homeless individuals across New Jersey who lack essential identification needed for housing, employment, and services. The key mechanism is a $2 million state appropriation, distributed based on each county's homeless population, to fund these partnerships and enable direct access to birth certificates through the State Office of Vital Statistics. This creates a concrete pathway for homeless residents to secure critical documents they often cannot access otherwise.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A4370 (introduced May 16, 2024) requires municipalities to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary housing units on single-family lots - as a "permitted use as of right" in zones allowing single-family or two-family homes. The bill prohibits local governments from imposing restrictions like mandatory parking spaces (if near transit), familial relationship requirements, minimum age limits, or separate utility billing for ADUs. It mandates that ADU applications be processed as ministerial actions (without public hearings) within 60 days, and prevents municipalities from adding extra rules beyond the bill’s provisions. Homeowners, municipalities, and developers are directly affected by these standardized regulations governing ADU development.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes statewide standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in New Jersey, requiring municipalities to allow ADUs as a permitted use in single-family and two-family residential zones. It sets specific requirements including minimum 300 square feet and maximum 1,200 square feet floor area, maximum height of 20 feet, and no more than 5-foot sideyard and rear yard setbacks. The bill mandates that applications for ADUs must be approved ministerially within 60 days without public hearings, prohibits selling ADUs separately from primary dwellings, and requires municipalities to include plans for promoting affordable ADUs in their housing elements. Municipalities may impose reasonable restrictions in specific circumstances, such as historic districts or very small lots, but cannot prohibit ADUs outright.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3791, the "New Jersey Online Foreclosure Sale Act") permits sheriffs and authorized officials to conduct foreclosure sales of real property through online auctions, replacing in-person sales. Key provisions require online sales to display bids publicly in real-time, cap vendor fees at $1,000 per sale (including a $50 processing fee), and mandate a non-electronic bidding option (e.g., paper bids). It affects homeowners facing foreclosure, lenders seeking recovery, and sheriffs managing sales by adding online sales as an authorized method while maintaining traditional notice requirements. The bill does not change foreclosure timelines but aims to increase bidder participation and potentially higher sale prices for debtors and creditors.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program (CHAMP) at the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to fund projects that reduce risks from natural disasters, such as floods and storms. The program provides loans and financial assistance to State agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations for hazard mitigation and resilience projects that align with the STORM Act (Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Act). It includes provisions allowing local governments to provide loans to private property owners for hazard mitigation, with a graduated loan forgiveness program based on household income levels. The bill also makes technical changes to the bank's authority, extending the date by which the bank may not incur additional indebtedness to June 30, 2053.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey telecom, cable, and internet providers to let customers pause or cancel service contracts without early termination fees when they move into a qualifying long-term care facility. It directly affects residents admitted to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, dementia care homes, or residential health care facilities for at least 90 days, as verified by a physician’s order or care plan. Providers must pause billing for a minimum 90 days upon admission, then cancel the contract if the resident remains in the facility beyond that period. The law mandates no fees for this pause/cancellation, though customers must provide physician documentation and typically give 45 days’ notice (or 48 hours in urgent cases).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to explicitly include virtual currency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in the definition of "gift" for public officials. It prohibits state and local government employees, elected representatives, and other defined public officials from accepting these digital assets as gifts. The change updates existing gift restrictions to cover new forms of digital value, ensuring virtual currency and NFTs are treated the same as traditional gifts under state ethics laws. This is a definitional update with no new penalties or enforcement mechanisms beyond current gift-prohibition rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the sale or assembly of lithium-ion batteries made from reconditioned cells used in low-speed electric bicycles, scooters, and related devices. It requires all new low-speed electric bicycles, scooters, and their batteries to meet specific safety certifications (like UL standards) and display certification marks at point of sale. Businesses using these devices commercially must provide employees with fire safety materials, and the state must launch public awareness campaigns about fire risks from improper charging or storage. The bill also mandates annual reports tracking fire incidents linked to these devices and evaluating safety measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4475) establishes mandatory standards for court-ordered domestic violence counseling programs in New Jersey. It directly affects domestic violence offenders required by courts to participate in counseling and the counseling programs themselves. The bill requires all such programs to include four key components: risk assessments identifying escalation factors, education on power/control tactics, clear attendance tracking protocols, and regular reviews by the Department of Children and Families for funded programs. These standards ensure consistent accountability and program effectiveness for offenders mandated to attend counseling.

Maddy summaryAJR 89 is a symbolic joint resolution passed by the New Jersey legislature that unconditionally condemns all forms of hate, hate-based violence, and bias crimes targeting individuals based on race, religion, ethnicity, disability, age, marital status, gender, or sexual orientation. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but urges the Governor and Attorney General to continue existing efforts like supporting victims, improving hate crime reporting, enhancing security at vulnerable sites, and researching solutions. The resolution emphasizes New Jersey’s commitment to protecting citizens from hatred and promoting an inclusive community, reflecting the state’s ongoing stance against bias-motivated incidents. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct legal effect on individuals or policies.