New Jersey Bills

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4342: Requires emergency departments to provide certain information to parents of children experiencing mental health crisis.

This New Jersey bill requires emergency departments at licensed general hospitals to give parents or guardians of children in mental health crises contact information for local care management organizations. These organizations are defined as county-based nonprofits that offer face-to-face support to youth with complex needs and their families. The law aims to connect families with community resources during urgent situations by ensuring this information is provided directly at the hospital. The changes will become effective 90 days after the bill is signed into law.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4352: Permits use of unexpended State aid for specific nonpublic school programs may be used to support certain other nonpublic school programs rather than being refunded.

This bill allows New Jersey school districts to use leftover state funding from one nonpublic school program to pay for another, rather than requiring them to return the unused money to the state. Specifically, it permits funds originally designated for nursing services to be applied toward security services, and vice versa, if a district spends less than the amount received for either program. The legislation amends existing laws governing state aid for nonpublic schools to streamline how districts manage these specific financial resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4359: Establishes certain water and wastewater utility shutoff protections for tenants.

This bill protects tenants in New Jersey from having their water or wastewater service shut off due to unpaid bills by the property owner. It requires utility companies to give tenants 30 days of written notice before any service interruption and prohibits shutting off service if the tenant is not the official bill payer or lives in a multi-unit building with a single water connection. Under this law, utility companies must pursue outstanding payments from the property owner rather than the tenant, and the owner cannot legally charge the tenant for these past debts. The bill applies to both municipal water utilities and public utilities serving residential rental properties across the state.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4361: Amends rent receivership statute to provide that court shall appoint receiver under certain conditions; establishes mandatory appointment requirement.

This New Jersey bill mandates that courts must appoint a receiver to manage buildings that meet specific safety or maintenance criteria, rather than leaving such decisions to the court's discretion. A receiver will be required if a building has serious health and safety violations lasting at least 90 days or has a documented pattern of recurrent code violations over the past two years. The law also clarifies that courts must select a qualified entity, such as a mortgageholder or lienholder, to act as the receiver and allows for dismissal of complaints if the owner proves repairs were made or violations are minor. Additionally, the bill introduces stricter requirements for dismissing complaints, including a rule that plaintiffs must file a notice of lis pendens within 10 days of filing.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4357: Permits for-profit movie theater to acquire plenary retail consumption license.

This bill allows for-profit movie theaters in New Jersey to obtain a special license to sell alcoholic beverages on their premises. Under the new rules, theaters can serve alcohol during scheduled showings and for two hours before a first-run movie begins. The license is tied specifically to the theater and cannot be transferred, with an annual application fee of $210,000 that is reduced to $150,000 if the venue sources at least 10% of its drinks from local small-scale producers. Additionally, this new license does not count toward the state's existing limit on how many such licenses a municipality can issue based on its population.

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4356: Prohibits application of State aid growth limit to State school aid provided in 2026-2027 school year; appropriates $332.6 million.

This bill prevents the state from applying a six percent growth limit to school funding for the 2026-2027 school year. It directly affects school districts by ensuring they receive their full calculated aid for equalization, transportation, special education, and security categories without reduction. To fund this change, the legislation appropriates $332.6 million from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the Department of Education. The act takes effect immediately and overrides any existing rules that would have restricted these aid increases.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4364: Establishes program and investment fund in DEP to support implementation of Wildlife Corridor Action Plan; authorizes creation of special Wildlife Corridor license plates.

This bill creates a new program within the Department of Environmental Protection to help build wildlife corridors by partnering with private businesses, non-profits, and academic institutions. It also establishes a special license plate for vehicles that supports these conservation projects. Owners who choose these plates will pay an extra $50 application fee and $10 annual fee, which go into a dedicated investment fund to finance the construction and maintenance of wildlife crossings. The bill requires government officials to appoint a liaison to manage these partnerships and track how the money is used. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department report on the program's progress and effectiveness every five years.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4334: Directs Dept. of Agriculture to develop and implement beginning farmer mentoring program in cooperation with certain agricultural and educational organizations and entities.

This bill directs the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to create a mentoring program that pairs experienced farmers with new entrants to help them succeed. To implement this initiative, the department must collaborate with various agricultural and educational groups, such as Rutgers and the New Jersey Farm Bureau, while also establishing clear rules for who can participate as mentors or mentees. The legislation allows the department to partner with public or private organizations to run the program and requires the adoption of necessary regulations to put the plan into effect.

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

SR 103: Establishes May 25, 2026 as "Missing Children's Day" in NJ.

This Senate Resolution designates May 25, 2026, as "Missing Children's Day" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about missing children and honor the efforts of families, law enforcement, and support organizations. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a commemorative observance to highlight the risks children face when they go missing and the importance of quick reporting. It recognizes that missing children represent a significant portion of missing persons cases and aims to promote community vigilance and support for those affected by child disappearances.

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4363: Establishes "Hazardous School Route Grant Program" in DOE; appropriates $15 million.

This bill creates the Hazardous School Route Grant Program within the New Jersey Department of Education to improve pedestrian safety for students walking to school. It allocates $15 million in funding to help school districts address dangerous walking paths where courtesy bus services are not available. To qualify, districts must demonstrate financial need and have previously adopted policies identifying hazardous routes, while municipalities must handle permits and long-term maintenance. The program allows grants of up to $1 million per district for projects like capital improvements or temporary transportation, with applications prioritized based on the severity of risks and the number of students affected.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4336: Requires principals and teachers of public schools to conduct two sentence oral recitation from Declaration of Independence before opening of school each day in grades three through 12; appropriates $10,000.

This bill requires public school principals and teachers in New Jersey to lead a daily two-sentence recitation of the Declaration of Independence for students in grades three through twelve. The specific text to be read covers the famous preamble regarding equality and the consent of the governed, and it must occur after the pledge of allegiance but before the school day begins. To support this requirement, the legislation appropriates $10,000 to the Department of Education to create and distribute notices to school districts outlining the new obligation. Additionally, the bill mandates that schools develop an age-appropriate curriculum explaining the historical significance of the recited passage and includes exemptions for students with conscientious objections or children of foreign diplomats.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4332: Concerns endangered plant species in NJ.

This bill updates New Jersey's laws regarding endangered plant species by clarifying definitions and expanding the state's ability to manage invasive plants. It directs the Department of Environmental Protection to create a list of endangered plants based on federal designations, rarity, or having five or fewer populations in the state, while explicitly excluding invasive species from this protection. The legislation also grants the department authority to control or remove invasive plants even if they grow near endangered species, provided such actions do not violate federal laws. These changes aim to balance the conservation of rare native flora with the prevention of environmental damage caused by aggressive non-native plants.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results