This bill allows New Jersey to expedite the procurement of pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) services, automated reverse auction services, and claims adjudication for the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees’ Health Benefits Program. It requires the Division of Purchase and Property to use a streamlined process - soliciting proposals from qualified vendors without formal advertising and conducting an automated reverse auction to secure competitive pricing. The bill modifies standard procurement rules to shorten timelines, such as limiting the Comptroller’s review to 10 business days and waiving certain advertising requirements. Within 60 days of awarding the contract, the state must report savings and procurement details to the Governor, Legislature, and the public.
This bill extends New Jersey's ANCHOR Property Tax Relief Program to include two groups previously excluded: (1) homestead owners who paid alternative "payments in lieu of property taxes" to their municipality, and (2) tenants living in rental properties where such payments were made. It allows eligible residents to receive tax relief based on their 2023 property tax amounts, with benefits capped at $1,500 for those earning under $150,000 annually (or $1,000 for $150,000-$250,000 income). The change applies to Fiscal Year 2026, with rebates paid by May 2026. The program now covers properties that pay alternative taxes instead of standard property taxes, aligning with existing eligibility rules for income thresholds.
This bill establishes a three-year, $1 million-per-district grant program through New Jersey's Department of Education to help school districts extend the school day or year. It prioritizes districts with high academic need (based on test scores, graduation rates, and dropout data), selecting up to 20 districts across regional groups. Funds cover costs like staff pay increases (with union agreement), transportation, and support services for extended learning time, requiring detailed applications and annual reports on participation and attendance. The program aims to support learning recovery and academic achievement, with a final evaluation report due after the pilot ends.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) to create a free, statewide online tool (a "child care finder") to help families locate licensed child care centers and registered family child care providers. The tool must display location, hours, program types, fees, enrollment status, and subsidy eligibility, with secure access and accessibility compliance. It directly affects families seeking child care, licensed providers (including centers and home-based providers), and DCF by mandating a unified system for finding and enrolling children. The bill appropriates $3.6 million for development and requires the system to launch statewide within one year of vendor selection.
This bill establishes the "Mass Violence Care Fund" to cover medical, mental health, and related expenses for victims of mass violence events when those costs aren't paid by insurance or other sources. It appropriates $10 million to the fund, which will be administered by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office to pay eligible expenses like medical bills, counseling, lost wages, and funeral costs for qualifying victims and their family members. The fund specifically excludes expenses covered by insurance or public programs and requires payments to be made at least three years after the event. It also creates a working group to develop eligibility rules before distributions begin.
New Jersey's S 524 requires public schools with 5% or more students qualifying for federal free/reduced-price meals to offer a school breakfast program, lowering the current threshold from 20%. This applies to all schools meeting the 5% eligibility rate, including those serving pre-K through 6th grade (requiring implementation by September 1, 2023) and other grades (by September 1, 2024). School districts must submit implementation plans to the Department of Agriculture by specific deadlines, with waivers available for schools lacking resources to comply. The bill aligns breakfast program requirements with existing lunch program rules, aiming to expand access to school breakfasts for more students.
S 2030 establishes New Jersey's Elementary Home Reading Grant Program to improve reading proficiency among elementary students. The bill appropriates $500,000 from unspent federal pandemic funds to provide matching grants to school districts partnering with nonprofits. These programs must mail weekly reading books to students' homes, include multilingual parent engagement calls/texts, offer 6-9 books for students to keep, and track metrics like books read and parental involvement. The program targets underperforming students, prioritizes districts with high numbers of economically disadvantaged students, and requires annual reporting on outcomes to the Legislature.
S 1548 proposes a new "Support Our Veterans" license plate for New Jersey vehicle owners. Drivers who choose this plate would pay a $50 application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee. All collected fees would fund veterans' services at Veterans Haven facilities through the Veterans Haven Council, after covering initial administrative costs. The program would support housing and services for homeless veterans, with funds deposited into a dedicated state fund.
This bill eliminates three specific real estate transfer fees in New Jersey: the "general purpose fee," "supplemental fee," and "mansion realty transfer fee." It directly affects anyone transferring property ownership (buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals) by removing these costs from the transaction. The bill amends the existing realty transfer fee statute (P.L.1968, c.49) to repeal these fees, meaning deeds no longer require payment of these charges when recorded. The change simplifies the recording process by removing these fee structures from state law, though other recording fees may still apply.
S 2050 establishes a $500 one-time grant program for New Jersey college students who complete unpaid short-term internships with state government entities. Administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, the grant covers textbook and course material costs for the student’s next semester. To qualify, students must have finished an unpaid state internship and be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at a New Jersey institution, with proof of continued enrollment. The bill aims to help offset the average annual textbook cost of over $1,200 for students, as noted by the College Board.
