New Jersey Bills

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4893: Establishes the "Safe and Sanitary Rental Housing Act."

This bill establishes the "Safe and Sanitary Rental Housing Act" to strengthen landlord accountability and improve living conditions for tenants in New Jersey. It requires landlords to register with local authorities or the state housing department within 30 days, providing detailed contact information for maintenance staff and emergency responders. Additionally, the law prevents courts from evicting tenants unless the landlord has been properly registered for at least 90 days and mandates that rental subsidies be withheld until housing violations are fixed. These measures aim to ensure that rental properties meet minimum safety and sanitation standards while making it easier for tenants to reach responsible parties during emergencies.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 5005: Prohibits undocumented student from receiving Tuition Aid Grant and Summer Tuition Aid Grant.

This bill prohibits undocumented students in New Jersey from receiving the State Tuition Aid Grant and Summer Tuition Aid Grant. While it maintains eligibility for other financial aid programs permitted by federal law, it specifically bars access to these two state-funded grants for students without lawful immigration status. The legislation requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority and the Secretary of Higher Education to update application procedures to verify citizenship or eligible noncitizen status before awarding these specific grants.

Topics ✗ Education ✗ Immigration

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4885: Creates position in State veterans service offices to address certain veteran concerns.

This bill creates a new position in every New Jersey veterans service office to help veterans access state programs for unemployment, homelessness, and suicide prevention. The appointed individual must be a local veteran who will work full-time alongside the existing service officer to address these specific concerns. The role includes a salary set by the commissioner and allows for additional tasks as long as they do not interfere with the primary duties.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4931: Requires DHS to issue guidance on housing-related services for Medicaid beneficiaries.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to create guidance connecting Medicaid recipients with housing-related services and resources. The legislation mandates the development of a memorandum of understanding between health agencies and housing organizations to align eligibility rules and track outcomes like housing stability and health improvements. Additionally, the state must provide technical assistance to help housing providers understand how to receive Medicaid reimbursement for their services. Finally, the bill requires a report to be submitted to the Governor and Legislature within two years detailing the progress of these coordination efforts and any necessary changes to state funding plans.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

AR 136: Expresses support for federal "Building Resources and Access for Veteran's Mental Health Engagement Act of 2025."

This New Jersey Assembly Resolution expresses support for a federal bill called the BRAVE Act of 2025, which aims to improve mental health services for veterans. The resolution highlights that military service can lead to mental health challenges and notes that about 31 percent of veterans receiving VA care in 2023 had a confirmed mental health diagnosis. By passing this resolution, the state legislature is formally encouraging Congress to enact the federal legislation, which would address VA mental health care, support women veterans, and extend a suicide prevention grant program to community organizations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4949: Provides gross income tax credit for volunteer first responders who incur costs for child care services.

This New Jersey bill creates a state tax credit for volunteer first responders who pay for child care services. To qualify, individuals must work at least 150 hours annually in their volunteer capacity, which includes required training time. The credit covers 50% of eligible child care costs, such as those for licensed facilities, in-home care, and after-school programs, with a maximum benefit of $5,000 per year. Recipients must submit documentation to the Division of Taxation to verify their service hours and child care expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4953: Requires municipalities to share certain payments received in lieu of property taxes with school districts; informs counties and school districts of application for property tax exemption.

This bill requires municipalities to share specific payments received in lieu of property taxes with local school districts. It also mandates that counties and school districts be notified when applications for property tax exemptions are submitted. The legislation defines how certain financial agreements for urban renewal projects calculate revenue and profits to determine these shared payments. Directly affected parties include local governments, school districts, and entities involved in urban redevelopment projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4971: Prohibits DEP and other State agencies from adopting certain rules and regulations without Legislative approval.

This bill restricts the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and other state agencies from creating climate change rules that go beyond the specific scope authorized by the Global Warming Response Act. It explicitly prevents agencies from adopting regulations based on climate projections for areas like flood hazards and coastal permitting without legislative approval. The legislation aims to ensure that the Legislature, rather than unelected administrators, retains the final authority over major energy and environmental policy decisions.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

AJR 173: Designates October as "Lead Poisoning Awareness Month."

This bill designates October as "Lead Poisoning Awareness Month" in New Jersey to promote public understanding of lead exposure risks. It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing this month and aims to highlight screening methods and ways to minimize lead exposure. The resolution does not change laws or funding but serves as a symbolic measure to draw attention to the health dangers of lead for children and adults.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4990: Adjusts method of determining regional need for affordable housing; permits timeline extension for municipalities to determine and plan for adjusted fair share obligations based on revisions to regional need.

This bill changes how New Jersey calculates the amount of affordable housing each municipality must provide based on regional needs. It allows local governments more time to create plans and adjust their housing obligations after the state updates these regional calculations. The legislation directly affects towns and cities that are required to develop affordable housing strategies under the Mount Laurel doctrine. By extending timelines for planning and adjustments, the bill aims to give municipalities additional flexibility in responding to revised housing requirements.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4886: Designates Browning Road Bridge in Bellmawr as "Marine Corps Captain James R. Reese Memorial Bridge."

This bill designates the Browning Road Bridge in Bellmawr as the "Marine Corps Captain James R. Reese Memorial Bridge" to honor a local Marine who died in a helicopter crash in 1985. The legislation requires the state to rename the bridge but explicitly prohibits the use of public funds to pay for the signs displaying the new name. Instead, the bill authorizes the Department of Transportation to accept financial contributions from private sources to cover the costs of installing and maintaining the memorial signage.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 5020: Prohibits pharmacy benefit manager from using spread pricing as model of prescription drug pricing; requires transparency in provision of pharmacy benefits management services.

This bill prohibits pharmacy benefit managers in New Jersey from using spread pricing, a model where patients pay more at the pharmacy counter than the plan's negotiated rate, and requires full transparency in how these companies are compensated. Under the new rules, any rebates or fees received by these managers must be passed entirely to the health plan or carrier, while the managers can still charge a standard administrative fee for their services. The legislation also mandates that carriers closely monitor the managers' activities and ensures that patients never pay more at the point of sale than they would if they bought the medication without insurance. To enforce these changes, pharmacy benefit managers must submit detailed financial statements and audits to the state department on a quarterly and annual basis, and the department will publish a yearly report on how these pricing practices affect overall health plan costs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results