Senator Vin Gopal today announced that the Community Affairs and Resource Center, has been approved to receive a $250,000 award from the Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing 2 program. This award will provide funds to provide assistance and stabilization services to individuals or families who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness in Monmouth County.

Senator Vin Gopal today announced the launch of the first round of grant solicitations for the Library Construction Bond Act. The Act, which authorized $125 million in state bonds, was passed by New Jersey voters in November 2017 to support public libraries providing modern and technologically efficient library facilities.

MONMOUTH COUNTY - On a cold winter day, families without a home or shelter can face major health risks like hypothermia, frostbite, blisters, and ulcers if they’re not able to keep themselves warm. That’s why Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey worked to establish “Socks for the Homeless” Day in New Jersey two years ago, and why their legislative office is now accepting donations of new and unused socks from today through February 10.

TRENTON - Legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal that would ban the abusive practice of pharmacy benefits manager (PBMs) "clawbacks" was signed into law by Governor Murphy on Thursday, December 19.

"This abusive practice of paying for prescriptions and then retroactively reducing the payment several months afterward does extensive damage, disrupting pharmacies' revenue streams and turning reliability into uncertainty," said Gopal (D-Long Branch). "By banning these tactics, we can drive down the costs of prescription medication and make our system work for patients, not middlemen."

MONMOUTH COUNTY - Senator Vin Gopal this month introduced new legislation that would make it easier for New Jersey municipalities to receive bonds from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank in order to finance transportation infrastructure projects.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch) that would authorize the MVC to issue special support recovery license plates to raise awareness for families and individuals suffering from substance abuse disorder was passed by the State Senate this Monday.

MONMOUTH COUNTY - Senator Vin Gopal will co-sponsor two bills introduced by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg aiming to create new training and resources to defend public employees from harassment and discrimination, and to create new means for public employees to report workplace harassment and discrimination where they exist.

Trenton – Legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal, which would require hospitals and homeless shelters to provide information on services and resources to individuals who are homeless or military veterans, passed the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee last Thursday.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Under “Penny’s Law,” a new bill introduced in the Senate by Senator Vin Gopal this November, Jersey Shore towns that go above and beyond to make their beaches accessible to beachgoers with disabilities would be empowered to advertise those beaches to the disability community with an official State label or sign.

Named for Penny Gnesin, a resident of Asbury Park who knew firsthand the shortage of handicapped-accessible beaches in New Jersey, the bill would direct the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop new guidelines for beach accessibility to accommodate the needs of those with disabilities, including recommendations for ramps, restrooms, showers, boardwalks, surf chairs, parking, and any other facilities deemed appropriate.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Senator Vin Gopal recently introduced new legislation that would allow certain volunteer first responders to qualify for free tuition at Community Colleges under the Community College Opportunity Grant program, regardless of income.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Senator Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey today announced that Monmouth County municipalities will receive a combined $12.6 million in infrastructure grants from the Department of Transportation.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - The office of Senator Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey is now accepting applications for spring 2020 internships for high school and college students in the legislators’ Tinton Falls and Ocean Township offices.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Senator Vin Gopal this month introduced new legislation that would correct oversights in funding for New Jersey food banks, restoring equity and necessary resources to non-profit organizations such as Fulfill, the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

The bill (S-4247), which amends the FY2020 State Budget, would require that State funds for community food banks be distributed based on the number of food-insecure households that each organization serves as a percentage of the total number of food-insecure households throughout New Jersey.

“Every food bank serves a different community, and each of these communities has its own unique needs,” said Senator Gopal (D-Long Branch).