Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThe "Cancer Patient Care and Compassion Act" (A4483) requires health insurance plans, Medicaid, and the State Health Benefits Program to cover cancer treatments administered through IV or other non-digestive system methods, along with survivorship care plans for patients with Stage III, IV, or terminal cancer, with no cost-sharing required. The bill prohibits mortgage lenders from initiating foreclosure actions and creditors from starting collection proceedings against cancer patients undergoing treatment, requiring dismissal of such actions upon physician certification. Additionally, it provides up to 45 days' eviction protection for tenants with cancer who submit physician certification, and extends employment protections for cancer patients taking disability leave. This legislation directly affects cancer patients in New Jersey who are receiving treatment for advanced stages of cancer, ensuring they face fewer financial barriers during their treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority to help emerging science and technology businesses cover advertising and marketing costs. It defines eligible businesses as those with fewer than 225 employees (75% based in New Jersey) operating in specific sectors like biotechnology, renewable energy, or information technology. Grants can only be used for advertising/marketing expenses, require annual financial reporting to verify proper use, and convert to loans if funds are misused. The program directly supports small tech businesses aiming to grow within New Jersey's economy.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A1494 prohibits businesses from using facial recognition or biometric surveillance systems on consumers at physical locations (like stores or restaurants) without meeting specific requirements. Businesses must provide clear notice (e.g., visible signage) and use the technology only for lawful purposes. If a business denies access or removes a consumer based on this technology, it must give a detailed explanation of its decision. The bill also bans businesses from selling or profiting from biometric data collected this way, with violations punishable by fines up to $20,000 per offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Deep Fake Technology Unit within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to address the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes. The unit will provide technical training, evidence analysis, and expert support to state and local law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts for detecting and investigating deceptive audio or visual media. It requires annual reports on deepfake technology trends, legal developments, and collaboration efforts, and appropriates $2 million from the state general fund to cover operational costs. The unit directly affects law enforcement agencies, courts, and state prosecutors by enhancing their capacity to handle deepfake-related cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families to develop a program promoting trauma-informed care to help children and families affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. The program mandates creating a toolkit for state employees and community partners, promoting a Trauma Awareness Month, and identifying gaps in services. It also requires all state agencies serving children and adults to implement trauma-informed practices, including staff training on ACEs and using trauma-sensitive language in contracts. The goal is to improve health and educational outcomes by addressing childhood trauma early through evidence-based approaches.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 17-member New Jersey Task Force on Coordination Among Nonprofit Social Service Organizations. The task force, including state agency representatives and appointed members from diverse social service groups (like those serving women, people with disabilities, the homeless, and veterans), will develop recommendations to improve coordination among nonprofits. Key mechanisms include promoting shared services to cut administrative costs, forming alliances to eliminate service duplication, and establishing uniform reporting for expenditures. The task force must submit its final report to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months of its first meeting, after which it will dissolve.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's Money Transmitters Act to strengthen consumer protections and increase regulatory oversight for money transmission businesses. It requires licensees to maintain records for five years (up from three), file quarterly reports (in addition to annual reports), and prominently display licenses at business locations. The bill also increases penalties for non-compliance to $200 per day and raises the crime level for operating without a license from a third to second degree offense. Additionally, it mandates that licensees provide FinCEN registration details annually, requires authorized delegates to display clear identification notices, and expands public access to licensee and delegate information through a department website. The changes directly affect money transmitters and their authorized delegates operating in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2165) allows spouses and dependent children of active-duty military service members to maintain New Jersey in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities if the service member is transferred to another state. It specifically applies to those who were already enrolled in a New Jersey public institution before the transfer and maintain continuous enrollment. The bill also extends this benefit to military dependents who attended New Jersey high school for at least three years, regardless of where they live when enrolling. These changes amend existing law (P.L.1985, c.231) to ensure military-connected students avoid sudden tuition increases due to relocation.

Maddy summaryThis bill excludes environmentally sensitive and flood-prone land from being counted as "vacant" for affordable housing requirements under New Jersey's Fair Housing Act. It specifically applies to land regulated by agencies like the Highlands Water Protection Council (for Highlands Preservation/Planning Areas), the Flood Hazard Area Control Act, or the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act. Municipalities must no longer count such land toward their affordable housing obligation, meaning they aren't required to use these areas for housing projects. The change clarifies that land under active state or federal environmental regulation - such as wetlands, flood zones, or conservation areas - is automatically excluded from housing calculations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill extends the Transportation Trust Fund Authority's bond issuance capacity from $12 billion to $15.6 billion through 2029 and establishes an annual fee of $250 for zero emission vehicle owners starting July 1, 2024 (increasing by $10 annually to $290 by 2028). It also modifies the gas tax rate calculation to gradually increase annual revenue targets from $2.032 billion in 2025 to $2.366 billion in 2029. The fee revenues and adjusted gas tax collections will be credited to the Transportation Trust Fund to support transportation infrastructure projects, with the zero emission vehicle fees specifically going to the fund's capital reserves.