Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's paratransit pilot program by transferring $6 million from the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT) to the Department of Human Services' Division of Developmental Disabilities. It changes the program's structure by shifting responsibility for developing the initial training module from NJT to the Division of Developmental Disabilities, requiring qualified community organizations to submit proposals for creating a training package focused on improving paratransit services. The program will train up to six paratransit providers (three from northern and three from southern regions) in best practices, with potential expansion to integrate services statewide if efficiencies justify it. The changes directly affect paratransit providers serving people with disabilities and aim to enhance service efficiency and accessibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a five-year WATER Pilot Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to support new apprenticeship programs in water infrastructure, utilities, and related sectors. It appropriates $1 million to fund grants for eligible organizations (including businesses, colleges, nonprofits, and public utilities) that partner with industry to create accredited apprenticeships, with priority given to programs serving underserved communities. Grant recipients must demonstrate workforce needs, recruitment plans, and how funds will be used, while annual reports will track participant enrollment, completion, and job placement outcomes. The program requires coordination with New Jersey's existing workforce development initiatives and mandates annual evaluations of its effectiveness by the Department of Labor.

Maddy summaryThe Liberty State Park Protection Act establishes a Liberty State Park Advisory Committee and sets requirements for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding actions at Liberty State Park. The bill prohibits the DEP from considering proposals to commercialize, develop, or privatize the park except for limited small-scale commercial activities that enhance visitor experience, such as bike rentals or food concessions. It restricts the DEP from transferring property rights within the 235-acre natural restoration area and Caven Point Peninsula, and requires the DEP to develop a management plan within five years after enactment. The DEP must consult the Advisory Committee before entering into any concession agreements or property transfers, and hold public hearings with 30-day comment periods for proposed changes. The Advisory Committee, composed of park advocates, environmental experts, and community representatives, will review proposals and make recommendations to the DEP.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A3046 requires ticket sellers - including resellers, brokers, and websites - to display the total ticket price including all fees (like service charges) in clear, dollar amounts before purchase. This applies to all online ticket sales, with prices not allowed to increase during checkout except for delivery fees on physical tickets. The bill also prohibits venues from charging extra fees beyond the set admission price plus taxes, though reasonable service charges for special services (like credit card processing) and delivery fees for physical tickets are permitted. It does not override existing ticket disclosure rules in New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Neighborhood Scholar Revitalization Pilot Program" in four New Jersey cities: Camden, Trenton, Jersey City, and Paterson. It offers college graduates with at least $7,000 in student loan debt a $7,000 reimbursement toward their loans after committing to live in designated low-income neighborhoods for 24 months. Businesses in participating enterprise zones can earn tax credits equal to their contributions to the program's fund, which is partially funded by transferring money from municipal enterprise zone assistance accounts. The program limits participation to 200 graduates per city, with a 3-year evaluation required to determine potential expansion.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to operate a real-time call center within the state, available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to help people navigate the MVC’s online website and complete transactions. It mandates that all assistance be provided in both English and Spanish, and allows the MVC to reduce staffing needs by adding web tutorials or recorded help messages. The MVC must also publish quarterly performance reports online detailing call volume, wait times, call purposes, and call durations. This directly affects MVC customers using online services, aiming to improve access to vehicle-related transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords in New Jersey to provide a working refrigerator (maintaining temperatures between 32°F and 50°F) and a safe stove (with proper electrical or gas connections) in residential rental units offered for lease terms of at least one month. It directly affects landlords renting standard residential units (excluding hotels, motels, seasonal rentals, or health care facilities) and their tenants. The law deems units "unfit for human occupation" without these appliances, imposing penalties of up to $500 per violation and allowing tenants to sue for damages, including attorney fees. Enforcement is handled by the Commissioner of Community Affairs, the Attorney General, or tenants through the Superior Court.

Maddy summaryAJR 75 establishes a commission to review how pandemic-related rules and orders affected small businesses in New Jersey. The 11-member commission, appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and Assembly Speaker, will analyze all state, county, or local rules, executive orders (like Executive Order 103), and regulations from the public health emergency to assess their impact on small businesses (defined as entities with ≤100 full-time employees), investment, economic growth, and recovery. The commission must hold at least three public hearings and issue reports with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature after each meeting. The commission expires when the Governor’s public health emergency declaration ends.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public community water systems (serving at least 15 connections or 25 year-round residents) to provide specific lead-related information to customers. It mandates that water systems include details about lead sources, health effects, and reduction measures in annual Consumer Confidence Reports (as required by federal law), and send written notices to new customers within 90 days of service. Additionally, systems must notify all customers 48 hours before lead pipe work (or as soon as practicable in emergencies), including temporary water safety risks and mitigation steps. All notices must align with guidelines published by the Department of Environmental Protection within 120 days of the bill's effective date. The law directly affects residents, businesses, and institutions receiving water from covered systems across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3165) requires New Jersey correctional facilities to create a confidential, fee-free system for inmates to report sexual assault, harassment, physical violence, or mental abuse by staff. It prohibits retaliation against reporting inmates - including transfers to restrictive housing or changes to job assignments - and mandates that facilities offer victim advocacy services. Correctional staff who retaliate against reporting inmates or fail to report abuse face criminal penalties (a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine). The law directly affects incarcerated individuals and correctional staff in New Jersey state facilities.