Sen. Vin Gopal

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey gross income tax credit for volunteer first responders who pay for child care services. To qualify, a volunteer firefighter or member of an emergency, ambulance, or rescue squad must complete at least 150 hours of official work or training in a tax year. Eligible taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 50 percent of their child care expenses, with a maximum benefit of $5,000 per year. The legislation requires individuals to submit documentation proving both their volunteer service hours and the costs incurred for care.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits county clerks and registers of deeds from charging recording fees to volunteer first responders. It directly affects volunteer firefighters, emergency squad members, and other individuals who provide medical care or assistance at accident scenes. To qualify for this fee waiver, a volunteer must certify that they have engaged in response services within the previous 12 months using a form approved by the state's Division of Local Government Services. The law overrides existing state statutes that previously allowed these fees to be charged, ensuring that volunteers do not face financial barriers when recording documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows gas and electric public utilities in New Jersey to use alternative methods for setting customer rates instead of relying solely on traditional annual rate cases. Under the legislation, utilities could adopt tools like multi-year rate plans, performance-based pricing, or earnings-sharing mechanisms that adjust rates based on specific metrics rather than just reviewing financial statements each year. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities would oversee these new approaches and approve plans that may include features like decoupling, which separates utility profits from the amount of energy sold. Residential, commercial, and industrial customers would be directly affected as these changes could alter how their utility bills are calculated and adjusted over time.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new New Jersey program to improve lung cancer screening awareness and access for first responders and veterans. The Department of Health will coordinate outreach and referrals to help these high-risk groups learn about and access low-dose computed tomography screening, which is recommended for adults aged 50 to 80 with significant smoking histories. The program will work with existing public and private coverage options to remove barriers to screening for these populations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits third-party reservation platforms (like OpenTable or Yelp) from listing, advertising, or selling restaurant reservations without a written agreement with the restaurant. It directly affects third-party services and food service establishments (including restaurants, pushcarts, and stands serving food to consumers). The key provision requires written authorization from the restaurant before a third-party platform can offer its reservations, with violations subject to daily civil penalties up to $1,000 per restaurant per day. The bill mirrors similar laws in New York and Illinois, aiming to prevent unauthorized reservation arrangements. It is currently pending in the New Jersey Senate Commerce Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies and other health carriers in New Jersey to reimburse healthcare providers for vaccines at a rate no lower than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cost per dose rate listed on the CDC's official price list. It directly affects health insurance carriers (including companies and health plans) and healthcare providers who administer vaccines. The key provision sets a minimum reimbursement rate based on the CDC's actual per-dose cost effective on the date the vaccine was provided. This ensures providers are paid at least the CDC's contracted price, preventing underpayment for vaccine administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Liberty State Park Advisory Committee to review proposed changes to Liberty State Park and prohibits the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from commercializing or transferring property rights in two specific protected areas: a 215-acre interior natural/recreation zone and a 21.5-acre Caven Point Peninsula wildlife habitat. It directly affects the DEP, future concessionaires, and the public by ensuring no privatization or development occurs in these designated zones without committee review. The law requires the DEP to consult the committee before approving any concessions or property transfers within the park, reinforcing the park’s status as a free public space. The bill aims to protect the park’s 1,200-acre natural and cultural resource, visited by over six million people annually.

Maddy summaryS 1796 requires New Jersey health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screening without cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays) for men aged 40-75 with specific risk factors, including family history of prostate cancer. The bill mandates that group health insurance policies (for groups over 49 people) cover annual screenings - such as digital rectal exams and PSA tests - as well as follow-up tests like imaging or lab work. This applies to all health service, hospital service, and medical service corporation contracts in New Jersey. The law affects insurance carriers by expanding existing coverage requirements and directly benefits men in the specified age group with risk factors.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prohibit certain institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes in New Jersey that are listed on the market and available for purchase. The law defines institutional investors as corporations, partnerships, trusts, and their affiliates, while exempting nonprofit housing developers, family trusts, and family limited liability companies. It also creates a special category for "small institutional investors" that own 20 or fewer single-family homes, which may be treated differently under the restrictions. The measure aims to limit large investment firms from buying residential properties while allowing family-owned entities and affordable housing nonprofits to continue acquiring homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the rules for administering epinephrine in New Jersey schools, colleges, and youth camps to help students with severe allergic reactions. It allows school nurses and trained staff to give epinephrine without waiting for specific parental paperwork in emergencies, while also requiring schools to keep a supply of auto-injectors readily available. The law clarifies that athletic trainers can legally administer epinephrine without violating licensing rules and ensures students are transported to hospitals after treatment even if symptoms improve. Schools must still maintain written policies for storing and using these medications, with backup doses kept on hand for unexpected situations.