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.

NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP - State Senator Vin Gopal joined Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey in announcing two state grants to the Affordable Housing Alliance Inc. of Monmouth County.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - For nearly 18 years, members of the United States military could be dishonorably discharged if they were found to be gay, lesbian, or bisexual under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), an official military policy that forced thousands of patriotic Americans out of the military, depriving them of a chance to serve their country and their hard-earned benefits. Today, Senator Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Joann Downey and Eric Houghtaling announced the introduction of new state legislation restoring these benefits for LGBTQ veterans discharged under DADT.

ASBURY PARK - In honor of Women’s History Month, Senator Vin Gopal will be hosting a “Women in Public Service” reception honoring municipal and state women leaders of New Jersey’s 11th District on Monday, March 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Parlor Gallery, located at 717 Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park.