Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts from motor vehicle registration fees certain vehicles owned by nonprofit organizations that provide essential community services in New Jersey. Specifically, it covers local Meals on Wheels programs for seniors (as Meals on Wheels America members) and nonprofits focused on social services like addiction treatment, mental health care, and support for individuals with developmental disabilities. The exemption applies only to vehicles not used for pleasure or commercial hire, and these vehicles must still be registered with special certificates or plates instead of standard fees. This change directly affects qualifying nonprofits by reducing their operational costs for necessary transportation services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a program encouraging owners or operators of closed landfills to convert these sites into habitats supporting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and bats using native plants. The DEP must develop guidelines for establishing and maintaining these habitats within six months of the law taking effect, and seek corporate or nonprofit partnerships to fund the effort. It directly affects landfill operators by providing a framework to repurpose closed landfill sites for ecological benefit. The bill defines "closed landfill" as legacy or closed sanitary landfills and "animal pollinator" as any species known to pollinate plants, such as bees, butterflies, or bats.

Maddy summaryThis bill would enter New Jersey into the Counseling Compact, an agreement allowing licensed professional counselors from New Jersey to practice in other member states without obtaining multiple licenses. The compact establishes a national commission to manage the agreement, share disciplinary information between states, and ensure counselors follow the laws of the state where their client is located. It would particularly benefit military personnel and their spouses who relocate frequently between states, as well as improve access to counseling services across state lines. Currently, 16 states have joined this compact, and New Jersey's participation would allow its licensed counselors to provide services in those states through a single license.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that individuals charged with domestic violence involving strangulation must be detained before trial. If a court finds probable cause that a defendant committed aggravated assault by strangling a domestic violence victim, they would typically remain in custody pending trial. The defendant can challenge this presumption by demonstrating with a preponderance of evidence that release conditions would reasonably ensure their appearance in court and protect others. This specifically applies to cases where strangulation was used as a method of domestic violence assault, which is already classified as a third-degree crime under New Jersey law. The presumption can be overcome with sufficient evidence presented at a hearing.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a licensing framework for digital asset businesses in New Jersey, requiring businesses engaging in activities like buying, selling, storing, or exchanging digital assets to obtain a license from the Bureau of Securities. It defines "digital asset" to exclude securities but includes virtual currency and digital consumer assets, while exempting certain activities like digital assets used within gaming platforms or prepaid cards. Businesses must disclose risks to consumers, maintain compliance policies, and face $500 per day penalties for operating without a license. The bill also creates a Digital Asset Enforcement Fund to support regulatory oversight and establishes requirements for application processes, background checks, and annual renewals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Commission" with 27 members representing state leadership, legislative caucuses, health officials, local governments, community organizations, and business groups. The commission must develop and administer a statewide vaccine outreach strategy focused on increasing vaccination rates, including school programs, partnerships with community groups, a multilingual media campaign, and targeted efforts for communities with historically low vaccination rates. It appropriates $9 million from the General Fund for this purpose, requires an interim report within six months and a final report by June 2022, and expires on January 1, 2023. The strategy directly affects all New Jersey residents, with specific emphasis on ensuring equitable access for underserved populations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year "Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Pilot Program" within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to reduce thefts and improve recovery of stolen parts. It requires the State Police Superintendent to develop a system marking catalytic converters with unique identifiers on vehicles most at risk, prioritizing high-theft areas. Vehicle owners, dealers, and mechanics can obtain free marking materials and apply identifiers, with a registry tracking all marked converters to aid in tracing stolen property. The program is funded with $500,000 and mandates a post-pilot report evaluating participation, recovery rates, and recommendations for future action.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill A2241 prohibits courts from making custody or visitation decisions based solely on a parent's disability, age, health status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or ethnicity. If a court considers any of these factors for an otherwise fit parent, it must provide detailed written findings explaining why the factor was relevant to the child's best interests. The bill does not prevent courts from considering these factors alongside other relevant issues but explicitly bars them from being the sole basis for rulings. This applies to all child custody cases in New Jersey courts, directly affecting parents and judicial decisions involving custody arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to provide victims of domestic violence with copies of specific records upon request, including police photos, body camera footage, 9-1-1 recordings, and police reports. Victims or their legal representatives can request these records within 10 calendar days at no cost, with records to be provided electronically or in paper form as requested. If records can't be provided within 10 days, agencies may request additional time from the court but must deliver within 24 hours once available. The bill clarifies that this right supplements existing open public records access under OPRA and requires courts to note record access delays during domestic violence hearings. This policy directly affects domestic violence victims seeking evidence to support their cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain professionals - including doctors, counselors, and mental health workers - to report suspected domestic violence to police when they have reasonable cause to believe it occurred. It also provides legal immunity for those reporting in good faith and mandates that institutions (like hospitals) notify their management to ensure reporting happens. Failing to report under these conditions is defined as a disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to 6 months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The law also directs police to share reports with a state domestic violence registry.