New Jersey Bills

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4099: Provides gross income tax credit for volunteer first responders who incur costs for child care services.

This bill creates a New Jersey gross income tax credit for volunteer first responders who pay for child care services. To qualify, a volunteer firefighter or member of an emergency, ambulance, or rescue squad must complete at least 150 hours of official work or training in a tax year. Eligible taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 50 percent of their child care expenses, with a maximum benefit of $5,000 per year. The legislation requires individuals to submit documentation proving both their volunteer service hours and the costs incurred for care.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4878: Prohibits harassment of farmers engaged in farming operations.

This New Jersey bill prohibits individuals from harassing, bothering, or interfering with farmers who are engaged in lawful agricultural operations. The law specifically protects a wide range of farming activities, including the production of crops, livestock, dairy, poultry, and forest products, while explicitly exempting law enforcement officers performing their duties. Violators face criminal penalties ranging from petty disorderly persons offenses to disorderly persons offenses for repeat incidents, along with civil fines between $250 and $500 per day if the harassment continues. Additionally, the Secretary of Agriculture can seek court injunctions to stop violations, and affected farmers may sue for damages covering lost profits and harm to their property.

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4844: Establishes "Targeted Midwifery Workforce Development Act"; appropriates $12 million.

This bill, known as the Targeted Midwifery Workforce Development Act, aims to address racial disparities in maternal and infant health in New Jersey by investing $12 million in workforce development for midwives. The legislation is based on findings that Black women and infants in the state face significantly higher risks of pregnancy-related death and infant mortality compared to white residents. To tackle these issues, the act appropriates funds to expand training and education opportunities for midwives, thereby increasing access to culturally competent care and helping to close the gap in prenatal care and birth outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4096: Requires health club services contract contain certain provisions regarding procedures during outbreak of infectious disease.

This bill requires health club service contracts in New Jersey to include specific clauses outlining procedures for cancelling memberships during an infectious disease outbreak. The key provision mandates that contracts must explicitly state how members can terminate their agreements if the facility closes or restricts access due to a public health emergency. Under these rules, the health club would be allowed to retain a portion of the payment covering services already used, along with a capped amount for administrative expenses. This change directly affects consumers who purchase gym memberships and the facilities that sell them, ensuring clearer terms for unexpected closures.

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4087: Requires DHS to establish system to ensure distribution of funds for certain support services for General Assistance beneficiaries ceases upon beneficiary's exit from support service.

This New Jersey bill requires the Department of Human Services to create a system that stops funding for substance use disorder treatment and housing once a General Assistance recipient leaves the service. The law authorizes officials to contact providers and beneficiaries to verify when services ended and to demand repayment from any provider who received funds for a client who is no longer receiving care. By mandating immediate cessation of payments upon discharge, the measure aims to prevent the state from paying for services that are no longer being delivered.

Topics ✗ Healthcare ✗ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4854: Implements Mom Project oral health program in DOH; appropriates $3,000,000.

This bill establishes the Mom Project oral health program within New Jersey's Department of Health to provide dental care for low-income pregnant women and new mothers. The legislation defines eligible participants as residents earning less than 300% of the federal poverty level who are enrolled in Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare, and it directs services to specific community oral health centers in medically underserved areas. A total of $3,000,000 is appropriated to fund the program, aiming to address the link between maternal periodontal disease and adverse birth outcomes such as preterm labor. The bill also includes findings on the health disparities affecting Black mothers in the state and the barriers that often prevent access to preventive dental care during pregnancy.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4098: Requires certain notice prior to placing liens related to water utility service.

This bill requires water utilities in New Jersey to send written notice to property owners and tenants within 30 days if a water meter stops registering. It prohibits these utilities from placing, selling, or enforcing liens for unpaid water charges during the period when the faulty meter was not working unless they have provided this specific notification. The law applies to both municipal and public water utilities and mandates that notices be sent via individual service or certified mail to the owner, their representatives, and affected residential customers. Utilities that fail to comply with these notice requirements face a civil penalty of at least $2,500 for each violation.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4812: "Parents' Bill of Rights Act"; requires public school and school district provide certain information to parents and guardians and obtain parental consent prior to taking certain actions.

This bill, known as the Parents' Bill of Rights Act, establishes new rules for public schools and school districts in New Jersey to ensure parents and guardians have specific access to information and decision-making power regarding their children's education. It requires schools to provide parents with access to curriculum materials, student records, teacher qualifications, and data-sharing details, while also mandating written consent before collecting biometric data, organizing field trips, or using photos and videos of students. Additionally, the law prohibits schools from forcing parents to sign nondisclosure agreements to review educational materials and grants parents the right to be notified of safety incidents near the school and to attend school board meetings. To enforce these provisions, the bill allows parents to file civil lawsuits if their rights are denied and gives the state Attorney General the authority to seek legal injunctions against schools that violate the act.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4091: Clarifies applicability of "School Ethics Act" to personal statements of board members.

This bill clarifies that New Jersey's School Ethics Act does not prevent school board members from speaking about matters of public concern, including school-related issues. Specifically, it ensures that board members can express their views through various channels, such as social media, without violating ethical codes. The legislation directly affects members of local school boards by explicitly protecting their right to speak on public topics. It amends existing statutes to remove any ambiguity regarding these speech protections and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4828: Lowers threshold of achievable net present value savings needed in refinancing of school district debt.

This bill modifies New Jersey law to require school districts to refinance their outstanding debt whenever a two percent net present value savings is achievable, lowering the previous requirement of three percent. As a condition for receiving state aid, districts must now evaluate refinancing options that meet this reduced savings threshold to ensure they are securing the most cost-effective debt terms. The change directly impacts school districts by mandating more frequent or easier refinancing when modest financial benefits can be realized. This adjustment aims to improve fiscal efficiency by encouraging districts to act on smaller potential savings in their debt management strategies.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4093: Moves fire district elections to date of general election in November.

This bill changes the schedule for fire district elections in New Jersey so they occur on the same day as the general election in November. It directly affects residents of fire districts who currently vote for their fire commissioners in separate, earlier elections. The legislation achieves this by removing the existing provision that allowed these elections to be held at a different time, effectively aligning them with the state's regular election cycle. Fire district voters will now cast their ballots for commissioners alongside other local, state, and federal candidates during the November general election.

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4847: Creates emergency closure prevention fund for child care programs at risk of closure; appropriates $10 million.

This bill establishes a $10 million emergency fund within the New Jersey Department of the Treasury to help licensed and registered child care programs avoid closure due to significant drops in enrollment. To access these funds, providers must demonstrate a decrease of at least 30 percent in their student numbers compared to the previous year and submit an application for assistance. The State Treasurer will manage the fund and release money on a rolling basis, with a maximum grant of $60,000 per provider per calendar year, while also allowing for the inclusion of available federal funding sources.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Bill results