New Jersey Bills

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 5095: Implements procedures for automated "Clean Slate" expungements.

This New Jersey bill establishes a new "Clean Slate" process that allows individuals with certain criminal convictions to automatically request expungement without needing to file a separate petition. The law primarily affects people who have completed their sentences and paid any required fines but may still face barriers due to unpaid financial assessments or other minor delays. Key provisions include granting expungements even if court-ordered financial assessments remain unpaid due to reasons other than willful noncompliance, while transferring the debt collection responsibility to the State Treasurer. Additionally, the bill permits courts to grant expungements before the standard waiting period ends if a person has substantially complied with payment plans or faces compelling circumstances preventing full payment. This legislation aims to streamline the legal process by reducing administrative burdens and providing clearer pathways for record clearance.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 5093: Makes permanent additional $250 ANCHOR property tax benefit for certain senior citizen homeowners and tenants.

This bill makes permanent an additional $250 property tax benefit for senior citizens under New Jersey's ANCHOR Property Tax Relief Program. The change directly affects homeowners and tenants aged 65 or older who meet specific income limits, with a cap of $250,000 for homeowners and $150,000 for renters. By amending existing state law, the legislation ensures these seniors receive the extra relief annually rather than limiting it to fiscal years 2024 through 2026. The benefit is paid alongside other ANCHOR assistance and requires no new application process for eligible recipients.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4267: Revises certain portions of law related to criminal history record check for school employees.

This bill updates New Jersey laws to require criminal history record checks for most paid school employees and volunteers who have regular contact with students under 18. It mandates that schools verify these individuals have no disqualifying criminal records before hiring, while also allowing districts to require checks for unpaid volunteers. The law lists specific offenses that would permanently disqualify an individual, including violent crimes, drug-related offenses, and crimes against minors, but includes a provision allowing applicants to challenge the accuracy of any disqualifying information found.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4262: Requires funds received by NJ from lawsuits in which AG participated be held in escrow by certain financial institutions.

This bill requires New Jersey to deposit at least 50% of funds recovered by the state from lawsuits involving the Attorney General into specific financial institutions. These institutions must be licensed in New Jersey, hold at least $1 billion in total deposits, and maintain a significant portion of their assets within the state. The Department of Banking and Insurance will create a list of approved banks, and those already authorized to hold attorney trust accounts will be automatically considered eligible.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 5075: Requires BPU to hold monthly in-person or virtual seminars to provides customers with certain information concerning electric power and gas suppliers.

This bill requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to organize monthly seminars, either in person or online, to educate customers about electric power and gas suppliers. The legislation also mandates that utility companies provide a one-page contract summary in both English and Spanish that clearly explains pricing, contract terms, and the risks of unauthorized provider switching. Additionally, the bill establishes new rules to prevent discrimination in customer acceptance, standardizes advertising costs to avoid hidden fees, and ensures that credit requirements are applied equally to all residential accounts. These changes directly affect residential and small commercial energy customers by increasing transparency and protecting them from unfair marketing practices.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 5090: "GAI Accountability Act;" imposes civil penalties on generative artificial intelligence platforms engaging in harmful activity, including exploitation of children.

The GAI Accountability Act imposes civil penalties on owners, operators, and developers of generative artificial intelligence platforms that are accessible to New Jersey residents. These entities could face a $20,000 fine for each violation if their platforms engage in specific harmful acts, such as creating child sexual abuse material or assisting users in committing crimes like murder or assault. The law includes a defense for companies that can prove they made reasonable efforts to prevent these violations, and enforcement is handled by the state Attorney General.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4228: Establishes "Targeted Midwifery Workforce Development Act"; appropriates $12 million.

This bill creates the Targeted Midwifery Workforce Development Act to address racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes in New Jersey. It allocates $12 million to expand training and support for midwives, aiming to increase access to culturally competent care for Black communities who currently face higher risks of pregnancy-related death and infant mortality. The legislation directly affects healthcare providers, educational institutions, and state agencies involved in workforce development and maternal health services. By investing in midwifery education and addressing systemic inequities, the bill seeks to improve birth outcomes and reduce the gap between Black and white residents in the state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 4657: Requires pharmacy benefits managers to make certain disclosures to health benefits plan sponsors.

This bill requires pharmacy benefits managers to provide detailed financial reports to health plan sponsors every six months. The reports must include information about drug costs, payments, rebates, and out-of-pocket spending for each medication covered under the plan. The legislation affects pharmacy benefits managers, health plan sponsors, and drug manufacturers by mandating transparency in how these entities handle drug pricing and compensation. Reports must be presented in plain language and machine-readable formats to ensure plan sponsors can easily understand the financial details.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4094: Revises statutory law to change title of "physician assistant" to "physician associate."

This bill amends New Jersey state law to officially change the professional title of "physician assistant" to "physician associate" in various legal contexts. The primary mechanism involves updating specific sections of the statutes governing assisted reproductive technology and artificial insemination to reflect this new terminology. While the bill's main purpose is a simple name change, it also defines roles such as physician associate within the existing framework for reproductive health services. The legislation does not alter the duties or qualifications of the professionals but ensures their titles are consistent across family law and medical regulations.

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 4728: Regulates deceptive use of artificial intelligence in photo advertising of certain dwellings.

This bill prohibits real estate sellers and their agents in New Jersey from using photos in advertisements that have been created or edited with generative artificial intelligence or other software intended to fundamentally alter an image. It requires all property photos to reflect the actual current state of the dwelling and be no older than five years. Sellers may still use AI or editing tools to add furniture or non-fixed items, provided they disclose the use of such technology in advertisements and provide original unaltered images upon request. Violations of these rules could result in civil penalties of $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 3237: Exempts creditor from paying municipal property registration fee if property is subject to automatic stay under federal Bankruptcy Code.

This bill exempts creditors from paying municipal property registration fees when a property is under federal bankruptcy protection (automatic stay). It modifies New Jersey's existing foreclosure registration rules to remove fee requirements during bankruptcy proceedings. Creditors must still register properties in foreclosure as required, but the fee obligation is lifted if bankruptcy protection applies. The change directly affects banks and mortgage lenders handling foreclosures that enter bankruptcy. This policy adjustment aligns state fee obligations with federal bankruptcy protections.

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 3997: Prohibits class action waivers in residential rental agreements for claims arising from violations of rent control laws.

This New Jersey bill (A3997) prohibits landlords from including class action waivers in rental agreements for claims related to rent control law violations. If passed, such waivers would be void, making it illegal for landlords to prevent tenants from joining class-action lawsuits over rent control issues. Landlords violating this would face a $1,000 penalty per affected unit and could be liable for tenant damages, attorney fees, and other remedies. The law would apply immediately to all current and future rental agreements, including past rent control violations.

Topics ✓ Housing

Bill results