Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senator Vin Gopal and Senator Bob Smith that bans smoking on New Jersey’s beaches was signed into law Friday, July 20 by Governor Phil Murphy. The law, S-2534, prohibits smoking on all public beaches and at state, county and municipal parks.

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin and Senator Vin Gopal, in a bipartisan effort, have introduced legislation to combat scams and protect residents.

The bill (S2838/A4185) requires telecommunications service providers to warn residential customers of potential scams or other frauds committed through use of these services. Specifically, this bill requires a telecommunications service provider to publish a statement on every bill sent to a service subscriber within New Jersey describing the potential for active scams that the service provider may be aware of, to the best of the knowledge of the service provider, or other types of suspected fraud that may be committed through the use of a telecommunications service offered by the service provider.

Legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal that would allow for casinos and racetracks to remain open in the advent of a state government shutdown was introduced into the Senate.

“The racetracks and casinos continue to be a driving force for the economy in New Jersey, and even more so now that sports betting is legal,” said Senator Gopal. “A government shutdown for any length of time has consequences for our residents and the regional economies.  We want to prevent any negative impact on these facilities and remove any threat or uncertainty if a shutdown occurs.”

A bill sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal that would authorize the issuance of twelve additional alcoholic beverage licenses in the defunct Fort Monmouth revitalization project area passed the Senate Sunday, July 1.

A bill sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal providing immunity from criminal and civil liability for someone who breaks and enters a vehicle to rescue an animal under inhumane conditions was approved by the full Senate Sunday, July 1.

A bill sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal that would establish minimum certified nursing assistant-to-resident ratios for nursing homes was approved Sunday, July 1 by the full Senate.

The bill, S-1612, would set certified nursing assistant-to-resident ratios as: one certified nursing assistant for every eight residents on the day shift; one certified nursing assistant for every ten residents on the evening shift; and one certified nursing assistant for every 16 residents on the night shift.

In response to a proposed tax increase on shore rental properties, Senator Vin Gopal issued the following statement in opposition:

“The shore is central to New Jersey’s $44 billion tourism industry, drawing millions of visitors each summer,” said Senator Vin Gopal.

A bill sponsored by Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo and Senator Vin Gopal that would distribute a portion of revenue generated from sports wagering at racetracks to the community where that track is located, or in the case of the Meadowlands racetrack, to the Meadowlands intermunicipal tax-sharing program, was approved by the Senate on Monday, June 25.

“Sports wagering is a new source of revenue for communities that host a racetrack,” said Senator Sarlo. “We need to be smart about how we use this funding and ensuring that a portion of this revenue goes back into communities where these tracks are located will provide money for infrastructure improvements and so much more. This is about reinvesting in the local site that is generating state revenue. Everybody wins.”

“Atlantic City benefits by this same formula,” said Senator Gopal. “A percentage of the revenue generated from casinos goes back to the city. Casinos generate economic growth and so do racetracks. Racetracks are generating needed revenues for all New Jersey residents. Returning a small portion of that revenue to eligible local communities so they can reinvest it in local projects is just smart government.”

OCEAN TOWNSHIP – In response to the controversial Federal policy of separating children from their families who are attempting to seek refuge in the United States, New Jersey State Senator Vin Gopal issued the following statement:

Senator Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) released the following statement announcing his co-sponsorship of SCR67, which amends the New Jersey State Constitution to dedicate money credited to the “9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account” to maintain 9-1-1 system and emergency response:

Senator Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey provided nearly 50 local high school girls with beautiful prom dresses through the third annual Princess Prom Project.

The expenses related to prom can add up quickly, especially for a family living on a tight budget. The Princess Prom Project works to alleviate a major expense by providing local high school students with a dress and accessories to ensure every student has the opportunity to enjoy prom.

A sweeping package of six separate gun-reform bills approved by the Legislature and collectively sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Senator Richard Codey, Senator Linda R. Greenstein, Senator Fred H. Madden Jr., Senator Joe Cryan, Senator Vin Gopal and Senator Nia Gill was signed into law today by Gov. Phil Murphy.

Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation co-sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal legalizing sports betting at New Jersey’s casinos and racetracks today, Monday, June 11.

The bill, S-2602/A-4111, would put in place the regulatory framework to allow casinos and racetracks to take bets on professional sports competitions and college events that don’t take place in the state or include a New Jersey team. Licensed “sports pool” operators would also be allowed to accept wagers online.