Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1481) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish standardized testing methods and reporting requirements for microplastics in drinking water by public water systems within one year. It mandates a two-year study by the DEP and Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to evaluate microplastics removal technologies, including costs, effectiveness, and stakeholder input from scientists, industry, and the public. The study must result in a strategic plan and public report within three months of completion, recommending how to promote these technologies. The bill directly affects public water systems, which must test and disclose microplastic levels, and aims to inform future policy through evidence-based recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every public school building in a New Jersey school district to have at least one certified school nurse. Currently, districts must employ certified school nurses but are not required to have one at each building. The bill allows districts to supplement certified nurses with non-certified nurses, provided the non-certified nurses work in the same building or school complex. It maintains existing rules for medically fragile students, requiring specialized care from approved providers chosen by parents without increasing district costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program in seven New Jersey counties (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, and Union) and major cities to prevent school violence. It trains school staff, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and students to identify and report concerning behaviors using a new threat assessment tool and a science-based training curriculum. The program requires immediate threat reporting mechanisms and annual evaluations by the Attorney General, who must recommend to the legislature whether to expand it statewide. Funding for the initiative will come from the state general fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's state and county hazard mitigation plans (used to qualify for federal disaster aid) to include climate change impacts. Any new or revised plan must analyze climate-related threats to infrastructure (like roads and utilities), assess risks to vulnerable communities, and detail prevention strategies based on current science. It directly affects state and county emergency management offices responsible for creating these plans. The law also mandates that other related plans (like floodplain or recovery plans) align with the updated hazard mitigation strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $750,000 from the General Fund to the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety. It funds a public awareness campaign to inform crime victims about their rights under the Crime Victim's Bill of Rights and available assistance through the VCCO. The campaign will provide clear information on how victims can access compensation and support services. This directly affects crime victims seeking resources, without changing existing laws or creating new obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1944) extends New Jersey's existing 5-business-day grace period for rental late fees to apply specifically to tenants receiving public assistance payments. It requires landlords to wait until after a tenant receives their monthly public assistance payment (e.g., Social Security, disability benefits, or Work First NJ) before counting the grace period toward late fees. For example, if rent is due on the 1st but assistance arrives on the 10th, late fees cannot apply until 5 business days after the 10th. The bill also mandates that leases must specify when tenants receive public assistance payments each month. It applies to all qualifying tenants, not just those with rent due on the 1st, and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires sellers of single-family homes with installed solar panels to disclose specific information to buyers. Sellers must provide the name and contact details of both the solar panel installer and the company owning or leasing the panels (if different), plus clear terms about whether lease or power purchase agreement rights are being transferred to the new owner. If false claims are made about this information, sellers face liability for $1,000 or actual damages plus legal fees. The law directly affects home sellers in New Jersey with solar installations and aims to ensure transparency during real estate transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A576) requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to create the "New Jersey Pandemic Entertainment Grant Program" to provide financial assistance to entertainment businesses significantly impacted by pandemic-related closures and capacity restrictions. It directly affects qualified businesses - such as family entertainment centers (NAICS codes 713110/713120) that operated 50%+ indoor revenue in 2019 and demonstrated a 50%+ revenue decline during April 2020-March 2021 due to the pandemic - excluding those who received prior pandemic grants. Grants equal 15% of the revenue loss during that period, with maximum amounts ranging from $25,000 to $750,000 based on business size and ride count. The bill appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to establish the grant program fund, mandating the EDA to administer applications, disburse funds, and set reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2266) sets rules for video visitation services and requires in-person contact visits in New Jersey correctional facilities. It caps video visitation fees at 11 cents per minute, prohibits facilities from charging extra fees or commissions on top of vendor rates, and mandates refunds if visits fail due to technical issues. The bill also bans charges for video calls between inmates and their attorneys, legal representatives, or clergy. Additionally, it requires facilities to allow contact visits (in-person) with reasonable security conditions and set reasonable visiting hours for both contact and video visits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's state-funded emergency food organizations (like major food banks) to allocate their state funds according to specific rules. At least 60% must support local distribution agencies (such as food pantries and soup kitchens), up to 30% can cover administrative costs or infrastructure, and 10% must be spent on New Jersey agricultural products or related investments. Food banks must develop data-informed plans for equitable support of local agencies and submit monthly reports on fund usage to the Office of the Food Security Advocate. These requirements are tied to continued funding, ensuring accountability in how state resources reach communities facing food insecurity.