S 219 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Establishes guidelines for creditworthiness determinations concerning affordable housing programs.

This bill bans landlords and housing programs from using credit scores or credit reports to evaluate applicants for affordable housing. It directly affects low- and moderate-income households seeking subsidized housing or units restricted to such households. Instead of relying on credit scores, it requires individualized assessments of applicants' ability to pay rent based on income relative to rent (2x or 2.5x rent, depending on subsidy type). The law aims to prevent discriminatory rejections that disproportionately impact people of color, disabled individuals, and others facing systemic barriers.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

General Assembly Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action May 28, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprint · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill moved from initial introduction to a first reprint after Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee reported it with amendments on March 5, 2026. The most significant policy change replaces a requirement that landlords evaluate an applicant's actual health history and health issues with a less intrusive requirement to obtain proof of health insurance coverage for the applicant and all household members. Three additional senators were added as co-sponsors.

REQUIREMENT

Section 5(a) changed the individualized assessment factor from evaluating 'health history, including any health issues affecting other members of the applicant household' to requiring 'proof of health insurance coverage, including proof of health insurance coverage for all other members of the applicant household.' This shifts the landlord's inquiry from actual medical conditions to insurance status only, reducing privacy intrusion.

SCOPE

Senators Stack, Cryan, and McKnight were added as co-sponsors alongside Senator Burgess, broadening the bill's legislative support.

TECHNICAL

The bill status changed from 'Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel' to 'As reported by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee on March 5, 2026, with amendments,' reflecting its progression through the legislative process.

The entire explanatory Statement section at the end of the bill was removed in the reprint version, which is standard when a bill advances past introduction.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 28, 2026

Committee

Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Housing Committee

lower

May 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by the Senate (23-13)

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Amendment (Voice) (Ruiz)

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee

upper

2 primary · 5 co-sponsors