Codifies various centers and programs at Rutgers University - Newark; appropriates $6.5 million.

S 2698 establishes five new centers and programs at Rutgers University - Newark and appropriates $6.5 million annually for their operation. The centers include the Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race (researching race and politics connections), CLiME (studying systemic inequality and racism in policy), CLSCR (building local business supply chains), RE-OPEN (supporting justice-impacted individuals re-entering communities), and NJSTEP (providing college courses to incarcerated people). Each center receives specific annual funding: $1 million for the first four and $2.5 million for NJSTEP. This bill directly affects Rutgers University - Newark, which will manage the programs, and the communities they serve, including students, justice-impacted individuals, and local businesses.