Sen. Vin Gopal

Maddy summarySCR 66 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow New Jersey's Legislature to establish casino gaming at Monmouth Park Racetrack and Meadowlands Racetrack without requiring voter approval. If passed, the bill would enable these racetracks to operate casinos, with all state revenues from these casinos required to fund property tax reductions, utility bill assistance, and expanded health/transportation services for eligible senior citizens and disabled residents. The amendment is currently pending in the Senate committee, with no further action taken yet.

Maddy summaryS 803 creates a program for New Jersey to acquire development easements on privately-owned woodlands, permanently restricting future development to protect land for farming, forestry, and conservation. Woodlands must be at least 20 acres, used for agriculture or forestry production, and managed under approved stewardship plans to qualify. The program will use existing farmland preservation funds and coordinate with federal agencies to access additional support, such as the federal Forest Legacy Program. Landowners who sell these easements retain ownership but lose development rights, with restrictions recorded to last indefinitely.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits force-feeding ducks, geese, or other poultry to produce foie gras (a food product made from enlarged liver), except when done for a bird's health. It also bans the sale or distribution of foie gras unless the product comes from a state or jurisdiction that already prohibits force-feeding. Violations carry a written warning for the first offense, followed by $100 civil penalties for repeat violations (with each day of ongoing violation counting separately). The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2649) would have allowed municipalities, counties, school districts, and fire districts in New Jersey to use project labor agreements (PLAs) for public works projects costing less than $5 million. Currently, PLAs could only be required for projects meeting or exceeding this $5 million threshold under existing law (P.L.2002, c.44). The bill amended the law to permit local entities to voluntarily adopt PLAs for smaller projects, expanding their flexibility in labor negotiations. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as the policy change was already enacted through another bill (P.L.2025, c.327).

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the minimum uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage required for transportation network company drivers (like Uber or Lyft drivers) and their companies when providing rides. It reduces the current $1.5 million coverage limit to $25,000 per person for injury/death (increasing to $35,000 after 2026), $50,000 total for multiple people (increasing to $70,000 after 2026), and $25,000 for property damage. The change applies to insurance plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2023, with gradual increases over time. This directly affects drivers and companies using personal vehicles for ride services in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover enrollment in recovery high school alternative education programs as part of mental health/substance use disorder treatment. It applies when a certified counselor, physician, or school official determines placement is clinically appropriate using standard medical criteria. Insurance must cover these programs under the same terms as other medical benefits, without stricter limits than those applied to general medical care. The law amends existing insurance coverage requirements to include this specific educational option for students with substance use disorders. It directly affects students seeking recovery-focused education and health insurers providing coverage in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryS 2623 allows surviving spouses of retired police and fire personnel (PFRS members) who died while receiving accidental disability retirement benefits to enroll in New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) with all premiums paid by the state. It also permits these surviving spouses to continue receiving their pension benefits after remarriage - normally a reason for termination - without losing this benefit. To qualify, the surviving spouse must provide documentation proving the retired member's disability or related complications were a significant factor in their death. This applies to spouses of members who died before, on, or after the bill's effective date, and allows previously terminated pensions due to remarriage to be reinstated upon application.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts birthing facilities from existing restrictions that generally prohibit healthcare practitioners from referring patients to facilities where they, their family, or their group has a financial stake. It specifically adds birthing facilities licensed for birth and newborn care (under NJ law) to the list of exceptions in current law. Practitioners with ownership or financial interests in birthing facilities can now refer patients there without violating the referral restrictions, while still needing to disclose any financial interest to patients as required for other exceptions. This change applies only to birthing facilities and does not alter disclosure requirements for other healthcare services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Mass Violence Care Fund" to cover medical, mental health, and related expenses for victims of mass violence events when those costs aren't paid by insurance or other sources. It appropriates $10 million to the fund, which will be administered by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office to pay eligible expenses like medical bills, counseling, lost wages, and funeral costs for qualifying victims and their family members. The fund specifically excludes expenses covered by insurance or public programs and requires payments to be made at least three years after the event. It also creates a working group to develop eligibility rules before distributions begin.

Maddy summaryS 2601 ("Stephanie's Law") requires New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to create a publicly accessible domestic violence registry. The registry includes individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes, those with final restraining orders against them, or those found in contempt of such orders. It will contain detailed personal information (name, aliases, photo, vehicle details, address) for public search, with a process for removal if someone was wrongly listed. Law enforcement must search both this new public registry and the existing non-public central registry during arrests to check for active restraining orders. This bill aims to enhance public safety by providing accessible information about individuals with domestic violence histories.