Legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal that would ban smoking on New Jersey’s beaches was approved by a Senate committee today.

The bill, S-2534, endorsed by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, would prohibit smoking on all public beaches by extending the existing provisions of the “New Jersey Smoke Free Air Act” to public beaches throughout the state.

Senator Vin Gopal hosted the first of two Small Business Roundtable Discussions Friday, May 4 at Red Bank Borough Hall.

Over 75 local businesses attended the roundtable to share their concerns with the Senator and learn more about his new small business initiative, www.ReportRedTape.com. The Senator was also joined by Senate President Stephen Sweeney, who graciously served as the guest speaker.

In an effort to engage and support the local nonprofit community, Senator Vin Gopal hosted a roundtable breakfast with representatives from several area organizations.

Hosted at the Perkins Restaurant and Bakery in Eatontown on Monday, April 30, the roundtable breakfast was an opportunity for the Senator to connect with the various vital nonprofit organizations that serve not only the residents of Monmouth County, but the state at large.

Senator Vin Gopal will host roundtable discussions throughout May, National Small Business Month, to learn more about the challenges facing local small business owners and engage them in his new initiative, www.ReportRedTape.com.

Small business owners often hit roadblocks when trying to manage and grow their businesses. From confusing municipal ordinances to laws that stifle business, local business owners can easily feel overwhelmed while attempting to break free of the gridlock government too often imposes. Through Report Red Tape, Monmouth County’s business owners are encouraged to speak up and discuss the issues they have faced while starting or managing their businesses.

In response to the behavior of Port Authority Commissioner Caren Turner towards two Tenafly Police Officers, Senator Vin Gopal, Vice-Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, issued the following statement:

“The vulgar, explicit and abusive language Ms. Turner directed towards these officers is inexcusable and appalling,” Senator Vin Gopal said.

Senator Vin Gopal is helping to shed light on the tragic prevalence of youth homelessness  by participating in, and raising funds for, the Covenant House Sleep Out: Asbury Park Edition on Friday, May 11.

4.2 million children in America will face homelessness this year.

“It is absolutely heartbreaking and completely unacceptable that even one child faces homelessness in America,” said Senator Vin Gopal.

I stand behind the residents of Freehold Township who oppose the construction of a T-Mobile Cell Tower on Robertsville Road.

Residents have been fighting this project for almost 10 years now. The Zoning Board of Adjustment originally rejected T-Mobile’s application to construct the cell tower, a decision I firmly believe was made in the best interest of the residents of Freehold Township and to protect the Lake Topanemus Watershed as well as its scenic road designation.

Senator Vin Gopal introduced a bill that would upgrade the penalties for certain crimes involving heroin and fentanyl.

“Heroin continues to plague our communities. From Asbury Park to Colts Neck, no community has been spared from heroin’s fatal grip,” said Senator Vin Gopal.

“Our law enforcement officers are combating this epidemic in the streets. Our teachers, in our schools. Our doctors, in our hospitals and treatment facilities. And we, your state legislators, are combating this epidemic in Trenton.

Senator Vin Gopal has been appointed to serve on the New Jersey Biotechnology Task Force by Senate President Stephen Sweeney.

This task force was established by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to develop policy recommendations to retain and attract new biotechnology companies in the state.

In response to the passing of Assemblyman Jerry Green, Senator Vin Gopal issued the following statement:

“Assemblyman Jerry Green was a loyal public official who dedicated nearly 40 years of his life to serving the people of New Jersey and was the longest-serving member of the Assembly,” said Senator Vin Gopal.

New Jersey manufacturers are faced with the difficult decision to either cut expenses or increase their prices due to sharp increases in the price of steel and aluminum.

The price increases are the direct result of the Trump Administration’s decision to impose tariffs on some foreign countries which produce these products.

Senator Vin Gopal has co-sponsored a bill that requires the board of chosen freeholders to alter its title.

Recently, New Jersey Legislators have been pushing to change the title of the board of chosen freeholders, due to the negative connotations and discriminatory roots of the term “freeholder.”

Legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal that would require law enforcement, upon order of the court, to seize a firearm that is in the possession of a person determined by certain licensed health care professionals to be likely to engage in conduct that poses a threat of serious harm to the patient or another person advanced from the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee today.

Under current law, the “duty to warn and protect” is incurred by a healthcare professional if an individual communicates a clear threat of violence to him or herself or a readily identifiable person or circumstances are such it would be reasonable for the professional to believe the patient intends to carry out an act of violence.   A health care professional is defined as a person licensed to practice psychology, psychiatry, medicine, nursing, clinical social work, or marriage and family therapy.