OCEAN TOWNSHIP - In response to a case where State regulators attempted to fine a Howell woman for taking care of two baby squirrels abandoned by their mother, State Senator Vin Gopal introduced legislation (S-3829) that would protect New Jersey residents from liability for providing temporary care to injured wildlife after making a good-faith effort to contact a licensed rehabilitator.

“I’m glad to see our State agencies working to make sure that at-risk wildlife is well-equipped to survive in its natural habitat, but this was clearly a case where the State was overzealous, and needed to step back and accept the net-beneficial and well-meaning actions of a Good Samaritan,” said Gopal (D-Long Branch). 

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - With a goal of cutting costs on prescription drugs and cracking down on abusive practices by out-of-state pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), legislation recently introduced by Senator Vin Gopal would require prescription drug services covered under the Medicaid program to be converted from a managed care delivery system to a fee-for-service delivery system.

“Any New Jerseyan who has visited a hospital or doctor’s office recently has experienced firsthand a crisis of soaring medical bills and skyrocketing pharmaceutical costs,” Gopal (D-Long Branch).

TRENTON - Senator Gopal this week introduced new legislation (S-3785) that would increase the amount of pension and retirement income that certain taxpayers are able to exclude from their gross income taxes.

“Our office has heard and sympathized with the frustration of many of our constituents regarding the exceptionally low exclusion amounts for pension and retirement income,” Gopal (D-Long Branch) said.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Aiming to cut administrative costs and promote a uniform curriculum for students, Senator Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch) introduced legislation last Thursday that would require the Commissioner of Education to study the most efficient and effective means of consolidating school districts, with the exception of Pre-K- or K-12 districts, into all-purpose regional school districts.

"Studies have shown that the consolidation of K-5 and K-8 schools into K-12 districts is one of the most powerful tools we have for cutting education costs and saving taxpayer dollars," Gopal said.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP – Senator Vin Gopal today called for New Jersey to explore ways to assist health care providers who may struggle to retain and recruit staff following increases in the state minimum wage. Senator Gopal’s concerns follow recent testimony by Department of Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson regarding the potential impact of New Jersey’s new minimum wage law on providers who offer mental health, disability support services, long-term nursing home and home health care for low-income residents.

“After hearing from members of New Jersey’s health care provider community, I believe strongly that we must help providers adjust to our rising minimum wage in order to retain and hire hire employees for these important jobs,” said Gopal (D-Long Branch).

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Legislation (AJR-114) introduced by Senator Vin Gopal designating the last full week of July as "Buy Local Week" was signed into law this Monday by Governor Phil Murphy.

“It’s important for farmers to develop relationships with their communities, and extremely rewarding for shoppers to do the reverse,” said Gopal (D-Long Branch).

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal which would require hospitals to provide breast cancers with information concerning reconstructive surgery was approved by the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee today..

“As the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in New Jersey, breast cancer must be one of our top priorities,” said Gopal (D-Long Branch).

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Paying tribute to one of the most famous privates of the Revolutionary War, Senator Vin Gopal released the following statement on his legislation (SJR-101) to designate March 15 of each year as “Peter Francisco Day” in New Jersey, which was signed into law Friday by Governor Phil Murphy.

“I'm proud to see the passage of this important legislation celebrating the valor of this American hero,” said Senator Gopal.

TRENTON - To spotlight products made in the Garden State, a bill sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal to create an official “NJ-Made” logo to be used by in-state manufacturers was signed into law Friday by Governor Phil Murphy.

"When you know that a product was made in New Jersey, you know to expect high quality,” said Senator Gopal.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal was signed this Tuesday, amending New Jersey law to provide the State with added flexibility in determining whether an abused dog able to be rehabilitated or one that attacks a criminal while defending its family must be euthanized.

“Unfortunately, some dog owners want to train their pets to be aggressive and dangerous creatures,” said Senator Vin Gopal. “That does not mean, however, that every dog bite, every incident, is the result of the dog being vicious.

OCEANPORT - Following Monmouth Park's Opening Day for 2019, Senator Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey are lauding an optimistic mood among the Park’s breeders, jockeys, and employees for the upcoming season, crediting their new $20 million subsidy to New Jersey racetracks for sunny forecasts on the track’s economic future.

“For a long time, we saw that New Jersey’s historic horse racing industry was struggling to make ends meet,” said Gopal (D-Long Branch).

Legislation sponsored by Senator Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr. and Senator Vin Gopal, which would require all school buses have a phone number or website displayed on the back of the bus so drivers can report bus driver misconduct if they witness anything concerning, was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy.

“All members of the public have a vested interest in making sure school bus drivers are driving safely and paying close attention to their surroundings,” said Senator Gopal.

EATONTOWN - Senator Vin Gopal will be hosting a community Town Hall event on Monday, April 8 from 6 to 8 PM. The Town Hall will take place in the Eatontown Community Center, located at 72 Broad Street.

“As a legislator, doing my job without the feedback of my constituents is like trying to ride a bicycle without handlebars,” said Senator Gopal.