Sen. Vin Gopal

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to provide supplemental pay to New Jersey first responders (including police, firefighters, and EMTs) who became ill with COVID-19 while working. It supplements existing workers' compensation benefits to ensure eligible responders receive up to 100% of their weekly wages (capped at $1,800), covering the period they were unable to work due to work-related COVID-19 illness, for a maximum of 180 weeks. Benefits are funded from the Second Injury Fund and require claims filed within two years after the end of the state's public health emergency. The program does not reduce existing workers' compensation rights and includes reporting requirements for the Division of Workers' Compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Community Affairs to investigate nurse staffing agencies for potentially excessive pricing. The investigation will examine factors like economic conditions, payment differences between healthcare facilities and nurses, federal fund usage during the pandemic, and how other states handled travel nurse pay. Within six months of the bill's passage, the commissioner must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. The bill directly affects nurse staffing agencies operating in New Jersey and healthcare institutions that use their services.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide grants from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to help farmers replace inefficient or polluting agricultural equipment with more efficient, less polluting alternatives. Farmers applying for these grants must demonstrate that their old equipment has been permanently decommissioned. The grants are funded through a specific allocation (60%) of the Global Warming Solutions Fund, which was established under prior law to support greenhouse gas reduction initiatives. The primary goal is to reduce emissions from agricultural operations by modernizing equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2022) eliminates a fee charged by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission when a car owner pays off a financed vehicle. It directly affects residents who have satisfied a car loan, requiring the Commission to reissue their vehicle title without a lien noted at no cost. The key provision prohibits the fee for reissuing titles after final loan payment, removing a specific administrative charge. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Transportation Committee after introduction on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to create a program providing up to $10,000 in one-time grants to veterans who purchase franchises in the state. It directly affects New Jersey veterans who are approved by the EDA and become franchisees (owners of franchised businesses) after the bill takes effect. The EDA must establish application procedures, set eligibility criteria, and require grantees to report within a year on how the funds were used for franchise purchases. The program prioritizes veterans applying within six months of the bill's effective date, with grants funded through state appropriations or private donations.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey school districts to administer certain motor vehicle services for prospective school bus drivers, including knowledge tests, providing driver manuals, verifying identification, processing fees, and handling endorsement applications. It specifically excludes road tests, which must still be conducted by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). The MVC must create a program to coordinate with schools and promote these services at school facilities, aligning with federal commercial driver licensing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the Governor's power to declare and extend state of emergency or public health emergency declarations in New Jersey. It requires the Legislature to approve any extension of these declarations, with automatic termination after 60 days for state emergencies (or 30 days for public health emergencies) unless approved by a majority vote of both legislative chambers. The Governor must notify the Legislature in writing at least seven business days before seeking an extension, detailing the ongoing threat. The bill also prohibits the Governor from issuing identical declarations for the same emergency after termination without specific legislative authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey general hospitals treating breast cancer patients (including those undergoing mastectomy, lumpectomy, or lymph node dissection) to provide written notice to patients about their rights. The notice must explain patients' right to consult with any board-certified plastic surgeon of their choice for reconstruction options (during or after surgery), regardless of hospital or insurance network affiliation, and confirm coverage availability under state/federal law. It also prohibits insurance plans from including contract terms that block doctors from referring patients to outside-network plastic surgeons or denying reconstruction coverage based solely on a surgeon's network status. The notice must be given when the hospital informs the patient of their breast cancer diagnosis, before they consent to surgery.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to create two online platforms: one for employers to list job openings for behavioral health care workers (treating mental illness, emotional disorders, or substance use) and another for employers to post internship/externship opportunities that provide academic credits for health care students. It directly affects in-state employers posting positions, behavioral health care workers seeking jobs, and health care students pursuing licensure or certification. The portals must be maintained online, with the department allowed to hire third parties to develop them. The bill defines "behavioral health care" specifically and mandates that internship postings must qualify for academic credits toward health care professional training.

Maddy summaryThis bill caps fees for patients and authorized third parties requesting copies of medical and billing records from New Jersey healthcare providers. It limits charges to $1 per page or $50 per admission record (whichever is lower) for medical records, prohibits all fees for billing records, and exempts low-income patients (earning ≤250% of federal poverty level) and nonprofit organizations. Healthcare providers must also establish fee waiver policies for those unable to pay and provide electronic copies when feasible. The bill directly affects patients, their legal representatives, and third parties seeking medical records, ensuring affordable access to personal health information.