Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to create a toll exemption program for disabled veterans using E-ZPass. It applies to veterans who own or lease a vehicle registered in New Jersey, display a "Disabled Vet" license plate (issued under P.L.1979, c.457), and maintain an active E-ZPass account. Veterans must first obtain the "Disabled Vet" license plate before applying for the toll exemption, and the authorities must approve all qualifying applications. The program exempts eligible disabled veterans from tolls on toll roads managed by NJTA and SJTA.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electronic voting system vendors to disclose any owners or shareholders with a 5% or greater ownership stake in the company, its subsidiaries, or its parent company before the Secretary of State can approve their systems. It directly affects vendors seeking certification to provide voting technology in New Jersey elections. Vendors must also report any future changes exceeding 5% in ownership structure. The disclosure requirement applies prior to system approval, aiming to enhance election security transparency. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Family and Private Burial Grounds Preservation Act" to protect family or private burial sites in New Jersey that are not owned by governments, religious groups, or commercial cemeteries. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create and maintain a public map of all such burial grounds, oversee their preservation, and mandate permits for construction or development near these sites. The law directly affects property owners with family burial grounds and developers planning projects on or near these locations. Key provisions include prohibiting unauthorized disturbance of burial grounds, requiring DEP review of nearby construction, and enabling the department to authorize permanent disinterment only under strict conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $750,000 from the General Fund to the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) for a public awareness campaign. The campaign will inform crime victims about their rights under the Crime Victim’s Bill of Rights and available VCCO services, including compensation assistance. The funds are a supplemental appropriation added to the existing 2023 budget for the Department of Law and Public Safety. (Procedural bill; no new laws enacted.)

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 946), now law as P.L.2025, c.177, requires mental health services to be provided in the communication method preferred by each deaf or hard of hearing individual - such as sign language or oral communication - based on their assessment. It mandates that mental health professionals be fluent in that method, trained in cultural needs, and able to collaborate with interpreters. The law also requires a state resource guide listing specialized mental health services and ensures individuals can help shape their own care plans. It directly affects all deaf or hard of hearing residents seeking mental health support in New Jersey, addressing long-standing barriers in access and care quality.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits emergency homeless shelters in New Jersey from requiring individuals to enroll in assistance programs (such as job training, housing aid, or counseling) as a condition for receiving shelter. Shelters must provide at least 72 hours of shelter, food, and safety regardless of whether a person is enrolled in such programs. After the initial 72 hours, shelters may ask individuals to begin applying for services to continue receiving shelter, but must then provide shelter for a minimum of 90 days if they comply. The bill does not require shelters to exceed their licensed capacity or override existing legal reasons for denying shelter.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 3567 requires municipalities to adopt state-approved land use regulations that allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary homes on the same lot as a primary residence - within single-family and two-family zones. The bill mandates that local zoning rules must align with state model ordinances, ensuring property owners can develop ADUs without restrictive barriers. It directly affects homeowners seeking to add ADUs for rental income or family housing, as well as municipalities responsible for updating zoning codes. The bill, pending before the legislature, aims to expand housing supply by streamlining ADU development while maintaining neighborhood character.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipal courts in New Jersey to notify applicants for public defender services about any application fee (capped at $200) and the process to waive it if they cannot afford the fee. It directly affects low-income individuals applying for municipal public defender representation in municipalities that charge such fees under existing law. The key mechanism mandates that courts provide this notice to all applicants, ensuring they know how to request a fee waiver based on financial inability. The bill does not change the fee amount or waiver standard but ensures courts proactively inform applicants of their options.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's Deepfake Technology Unit within the Division of Criminal Justice to combat AI-generated deceptive media (deepfakes). The unit will provide law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts with technical expertise, training, and evidence analysis to detect and investigate deepfakes - defined as AI-manipulated videos, audio, or images that falsely depict people or events. It requires the unit to issue annual reports on detection methods, technological advances, and policy recommendations, and appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to cover operational costs. The unit directly supports state and local agencies in addressing a growing threat to public safety and legal integrity.

Maddy summaryThe "Better Care Dog Act" establishes statewide rules for dog safety in New Jersey, replacing inconsistent local ordinances. It requires all dog owners to keep dogs leashed when off their property (except for working/hunting dogs), mandates fencing for repeat offenders, and clarifies that owners face fines ($100-$500 per violation) for unrestrained dogs that attack or threaten safety - regardless of injury. The law applies to all dog owners statewide, with the Department of Health overseeing uniform implementation and municipalities required to adopt these standards. It aims to protect public safety (especially children) and promote consistent responsible ownership through clear, enforceable rules.