TRENTON – Legislation which would allow public notaries to authenticate documents remotely for the duration of the public health emergency was approved by the Senate today. The bill is sponsored by Senator Linda Greenstein, Senator Vin Gopal, Senator Troy Singleton, and Senator Declan O’Scanlon.

Due to the expansion of unemployment, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is now available for independent contractors, gig workers, self-employed workers, and other 1099 workers. The Department of Labor is still in the process of implementing this program, but we encourage you to apply for unemployment now in order to take advantage of it when funds become available. You will likely be denied for ordinary unemployment benefits, but this rejection is a requirement to be eligible for PUA funds.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Senator Vin Gopal is sponsoring legislation introduced by Senator Mike Testa that would direct the Department of Health (DOH) to require the administration of COVID-19 tests for first responders and health care workers, whether they are asymptomatic or are exhibiting symptoms of the disease. The results of these tests would be expedited.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Senator Vin Gopal joined Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey to call for pharmacies and other businesses to immediately halt all sales of specialized N95 protective masks to members of the public, and for all New Jersey residents to instead purchase more accessible cloth masks for personal protection.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Senator Vin Gopal will introduce new legislation that would enforce New Jersey’s protections against price-gouging during a global or regional emergency, even if New Jersey is not currently in a state of emergency.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Senator Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey are warning New Jersey residents to be wary of a dangerous and effective new scam that asks individuals to provide their bank account information via phone, email, or social media message in order to receive or expedite their $1,200 federal stimulus check.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Senator Vin Gopal is introducing legislation urging New Jersey financial institutions to temporarily suspend mortgage payments from borrowers and homeowners financially impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Senator Vin Gopal will introduce legislation directing law enforcement officers to issue penalties for individuals who attend social gatherings in violation of a Governor's executive order during a state of emergency. Under law, the penalties set for violators by executive order include up to 6 months in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - In response to a case in which scam artists sold 1,000 counterfeit respirators to Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, Senator Vin Gopal today announced that he will introduce legislation enhancing penalties for any person who creates or distributes counterfeit medical drugs or devices during a state of emergency.

Senator Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey released the following list of essential and non-essential businesses, as defined by Governor Murphy’s Executive Orders issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This list will be updated as more information becomes available.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - This Friday afternoon, at 4:00 p.m., Senator Vin Gopal will host a Facebook Live to provide an update on COVID-19 for small business owners and employees. The update will discuss workers' eligibility for paid sick leave, unemployment, and other benefits; state programs that can help small businesses and their employees stay afloat; and the current status of COVID-19 in New Jersey.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Senator Vin Gopal today announced that he will introduce legislation establishing a New Jersey Hospitality Emergency Loan Program, which would provide immediate financial assistance for struggling hospitality businesses during the COVID-19 emergency. The program would be based on the Delaware program of the same name, announced on Wednesday by Delaware Governor John Carney.

Out of an abundance of caution and to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, each of our 11th Legislative District offices, by the direction of the Assembly Speaker, has been closed through March 31. You can still contact our Ocean Township district office via the phone number (732) 695-3371; however, please be prepared to leave a detailed message if you are not immediately connected with a member of our staff.