Sen. Vin Gopal

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits force-feeding geese, ducks, or other poultry (using a tube or apparatus inserted into the beak, bill, or throat) for foie gras production in New Jersey, except when done to improve a bird's health. It also bans the sale, distribution, or offer for sale of foie gras products unless they originate from a state or jurisdiction that prohibits force-feeding. Violations carry a written warning for the first offense and a $100 civil penalty for each subsequent offense or day the violation continues. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment and is enforced by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) rules to include pay for extracurricular activities in teachers' pension calculations. Currently, additional compensation for duties like coaching sports teams, directing school plays, or supervising clubs is not counted toward pension benefits. The bill changes the definition of "compensation" to include remuneration for extracurricular activities beyond the regular school day or year. This change would affect teachers who receive extra pay for these activities, potentially increasing their future pension benefits. The bill applies to all teachers whose extracurricular duties qualify under the new definition.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the responsibilities of New Jersey's Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board and establishes a Problematic Sexual Behavior Program to address cases involving youth under 18 exhibiting developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviors. The program creates specialized care coordinators in each region, a screening process through the State Central Registry, and evidence-based mental health services for affected youth and families. It appropriates $8.5 million from the General Fund, with $5 million for the Child Treatment Assistance Fund and $3.5 million funding specialized coordinators, training for mental health providers, and data collection. Child advocacy centers must adopt updated guidelines for annual progress reviews to maintain compliance with National Children's Alliance standards. The program aims to improve access to medical and mental health services for youth engaging in or impacted by problematic sexual behavior and their families.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $0.40 monthly fee per mobile line on New Jersey residents using commercial mobile or IP-enabled voice services, excluding Lifeline program users. Telecom companies collect the fee from customers and remit it quarterly to a new "9-8-8 Suicide Prevention and Behavioral Health Crisis Hotline Trust Fund Account" in the state treasury. Funds in this account will be used to support the 9-8-8 crisis system, including routing calls/texts, providing mobile crisis response teams and stabilization services, and funding public awareness campaigns. The fee applies to all standard mobile subscribers but does not affect federal Lifeline participants.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the FY2026 state budget for New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) by $16.7 million to raise the monthly reimbursement rate paid to care management organizations (CMOs). The rate will increase from $1,032 to $1,200 per client in FY2026, with annual $100 increases until reaching $1,500 per client. CMOs, which coordinate care for youth with complex behavioral health needs, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities, directly benefit from this funding change. The adjustment is implemented through a specific line item in the state's annual appropriations act.

Maddy summaryThe Travel Insurance Act (S 2783) establishes a regulatory framework for travel insurance in New Jersey, defining key terms and setting requirements for how travel insurance must be sold and marketed. It creates licensing requirements for travel insurance producers and retailers, mandates clear disclosure of coverage details to consumers, and specifies that travel insurance must be classified under inland marine or accident and health insurance. The bill requires travel retailers to provide detailed information about coverage, prohibits misleading marketing practices like marketing blanket insurance as "free," and sets rules for cancellations and refunds. This legislation directly affects travel insurance companies, travel retailers, and consumers purchasing travel insurance in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects 50% of revenue from two specific taxes on high-value real estate transactions to New Jersey's Affordable Housing Trust Fund. It affects sellers of residential, commercial, or farm property (or controlling interests in commercial entities) transferring property valued over $1 million, who currently pay additional fees and taxes. Under the bill, 50% of the revenue from these taxes - currently deposited into the General Fund - would instead fund affordable housing programs through the Trust Fund, as specified in existing law. The policy change requires the state to annually allocate this portion to housing initiatives without altering the tax rates or thresholds.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) from owning or operating pharmacy practice sites in New Jersey, effective July 1, 2027. It directly affects PBMs and pharmacies currently owned or controlled by them, requiring separation between PBM pricing decisions and pharmacy operations. Key provisions include banning PBMs from holding pharmacy permits, allowing limited special permits for rare or orphan drugs until September 1, 2028, and requiring pharmacies to notify patients and providers 60 days before the effective date. The law aims to reduce conflicts of interest and improve competition in pharmacy services.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's aggravated assault statute to align the definition of "health care professional" with the broader definition established in the "Health Care Heroes Violence Prevention Act." Currently, the aggravated assault statute only applies to specific health care workers directly providing patient care, while the "Health Care Heroes" act includes volunteers, supportive services staff, and other facility employees. By matching these definitions, the bill ensures that assaults on a wider range of health care workers - including those not directly providing patient care - are classified as aggravated assault rather than simple assault. This change extends the same legal protections to more health care workers that are already provided under the "Health Care Heroes" act.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to act with a fiduciary duty prioritizing patients' financial interests over those of health insurance carriers. It directly affects all PBMs working with health plans in New Jersey, including those serving state Medicaid and employee health programs. Key provisions include banning PBMs from making patients pay more at checkout than they would without insurance and mandating that PBMs use all funds received from pharmacy services according to contracts or law. The law aims to ensure PBMs manage costs transparently for patients while maintaining their existing duties to health plans.