Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3929) prohibits businesses from using facial recognition or biometric surveillance systems on customers at their physical locations, except when providing clear notice (like a visible sign) and using the system for a lawful purpose. Businesses must explain decisions to deny access or remove customers based on biometric data, and cannot sell or profit from collected biometric information. Violations carry fines up to $20,000 per offense, with a 30-day window to correct first violations without penalty. The law directly affects businesses operating physical premises and their customers in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of human trafficking crimes in New Jersey and removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting these offenses, allowing authorities to pursue cases regardless of how much time has passed. It also creates specialized human trafficking response teams to coordinate investigations and support services, while increasing training and education requirements for law enforcement and related professionals. Additionally, the bill appropriates $1 million to the Commission on Human Trafficking to fund these initiatives and improve victim support systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill reassigns $500,000 in state funds from the City of Camden's Capital Projects budget to Parkside Business & Community in Partnership, a local nonprofit organization. The funds, originally designated for Camden city capital projects, will now support the nonprofit's neighborhood revitalization work in Camden's Parkside area, focusing on commercial development and housing. The change modifies the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act to shift the funding source while maintaining the same total appropriation amount. This is a procedural reallocation of existing funds, not a new policy or funding increase.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Thomas Mundy Peterson as the first African American to vote in the United States following the ratification of the 15th Amendment. It commemorates his historic March 31, 1870, vote in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, after the amendment guaranteed voting rights regardless of race. The resolution recognizes his civic contributions, including serving on a city charter committee and becoming Perth Amboy's first African American jury member. It is a commemorative measure with no legislative provisions or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires nursing homes in New Jersey to provide detailed financial and ownership information to the Department of Health before a sale or transfer of ownership occurs. The new requirements include submitting a transfer fee, a cover letter identifying the facility, a description of the transaction with full details on current and proposed owners, and copies of sales and management agreements. The Department of Health must post these applications on its website within 30 days while redacting personal and proprietary information, and the public will have an opportunity to comment on each transfer. Additionally, ownership transfer approval depends on the Department reviewing the new owners' disciplinary history and ensuring all outstanding Medicaid claims and penalties are resolved or assumed by the new owners.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to create policies for administering nasal seizure rescue medication and using manual vagus nerve stimulators for students with seizure disorders during emergencies. It defines specific roles for school nurses as primary responders while allowing them to designate at least two additional trained staff members to assist when the nurse is not present. The legislation mandates that designated staff receive CPR and defibrillator training, obtain written parental consent, and includes provisions protecting school employees from liability when acting in good faith during emergency medical situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3586) requires New Jersey's Division of Purchase and Property to create an annual report analyzing all state-owned real property for potential use as affordable housing. The report must inventory all state-owned land and buildings, including those held by agencies or authorities, and assess feasibility for low- and moderate-income housing development under existing law. The Division must submit this report to the Governor and Legislature within 13 months of the bill's effective date, then annually thereafter, and post it online. The bill directly affects state agencies managing property and requires them to systematically evaluate underutilized assets for housing opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 1679) prohibits crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) from making false or misleading claims about their services in advertisements or public statements. Specifically, it bans CPCs from falsely implying they provide abortion or medical pregnancy services (like prenatal care), misrepresenting themselves as licensed health care facilities, or failing to disclose they don’t offer such services. Violations trigger penalties under New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act, including mandatory cessation of false advertising and public correction of the misleading claims. The law directly affects nonprofit CPCs that operate without medical licenses and present themselves as health care facilities, requiring them to clearly state their service limitations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Dominican-American Commission to advocate for the state's growing Dominican-American community, foster cultural engagement, strengthen ties with the Dominican Republic, and address community issues. The commission, composed of 21 members (including legislative appointees and 13 community advocates appointed by the governor), will report annually to the Governor and Legislature with recommendations. It will operate under the Department of State, with members serving staggered terms (two to four years) and focusing on cultural promotion, community advocacy, and policy recommendations. The commission directly serves New Jersey's Dominican-American residents, who the bill identifies as the state's fastest-growing Latino population.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as agents or officers between September 1, 2025, and January 20, 2029, from working in specific New Jersey state or local positions. It directly affects ICE employees during that period, disqualifying them from becoming state/local government workers, law enforcement officers, or teachers. The key provision (Section 2a) bans such employment regardless of compensation, covering roles like school staff, sworn police officers, and public agency employees. The bill defines "law enforcement officer" broadly to include police, correctional officers, and campus security, and "teacher" to encompass all school staff.