OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Aiming to support students with disabilities who receive Medicaid to support the cost of independent living, Senator Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) joined Assembly Human Services Chairwoman Joann Downey (D-Monmouth) and Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling (D-Monmouth) to introduce a new package of legislation aiming to increase care hours and accommodations for New Jersey residents with disabilities. The legislation, which was developed in response to challenges faced by college student Anna Landre in her efforts to obtain Medicaid assistance for her disability, would provide additional support for Garden State residents looking to study at institutions of higher education.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - A new charity drive is asking Monmouth County residents to donate hygiene products, toiletries, and personal care products - basic necessities that are in high demand at local women’s shelters.

MONMOUTH COUNTY - Municipal programs in Long Branch, Red Bank, and Eatontown, as well as two county programs making energy utility bills affordable for low-income households, will be receiving more than $500,000 in combined funding through state-approved grants, announced Senator Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling (D-Neptune) and Joann Downey (D-Freehold) today.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Legislation co-sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal to increase State funding for cultural projects, historical heritage programs, and tourism advertisement and promotion was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy this Wednesday.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal that would require hospitals and homeless shelters to provide information on services and resources to individuals who are homeless or military veterans was signed into law by Governor Murphy today.

TRENTON - This Tuesday, Governor Murphy signed into law “Zackhary’s Law,” legislation sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblywoman Joann Downey that would create a new alert system to help apprehend drivers who abandon a victim with serious injuries at the scene of a hit-and-run accident.

As we enter into a new year and a new legislative session, I’m humbled by the knowledge that, just two short years ago, I took my first steps onto the Senate floor as a representative of New Jersey’s 11th Legislative District.

In the time since, I’m proud of what our team has managed to accomplish, including the people we’ve been able to help, the bills we’ve been able to pass into law, and the issues we’ve raised on behalf of our residents.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - This Tuesday, Governor Murphy signed legislation introduced by Senator Vin Gopal 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.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP – Under the “gay panic” or “trans panic defense,” it was previously legal for New Jersey defendants to seek to reduce a charge of murder to a charge of manslaugher if their actions were allegedly provoked by their discovery of their victim's gender identity or sexual orientation. That defense has now been banned under a new law (A-1796) sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblywoman Joann Downey, signed by Governor Murphy this Tuesday, which would permanently ban the use of the so-called “gay panic defense” for the commission of murder.

TRENTON - This Monday, Governor Murphy signed the “Slow Down or More Over, It’s the Law Act” sponsored by Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey in effort to strengthen the protections provided by the “Move Over Law” for emergency workers on New Jersey roads.

NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP - The parents of Charlotte Scalese, a 2-year-old cancer patient who lives in Neptune Township, are asking their Monmouth County neighbors to give blood to support Charlotte’s recovery at a blood drive on Friday, January 31.

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 signed into law this Monday.

MONMOUTH COUNTY – Senator Vin Gopal (D-11) today announced that he will be joining a bipartisan team of state legislators, to introduce first in the nation legislation creating unprecedented and long-needed oversight over harassment and discrimination in New Jersey campaigns and political parties.