This bill (A 2066) establishes the "New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program" to provide competitive grants to public school districts, renaissance schools, and charter schools. The program funds three specific STEM education approaches: project-based learning, after-school STEM activities, and out-of-school STEM experiences. Schools applying must detail how funds will enhance existing programs or create new ones, recruit students, support educators, and ensure long-term sustainability. Grants must supplement, not replace, existing STEM funding and are subject to annual state appropriations. The program runs for four years, with funding sourced from state appropriations and private donations.
This bill allocates $1.5 million annually from the Workforce Development Partnership Fund to support the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Inc. (NJMEP) or its successor. NJMEP is a nonprofit organization that helps New Jersey manufacturers improve competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency through customized training and technical assistance. The funding is designated as a permanent, dedicated source within the broader workforce development fund, separate from other allocations for worker training programs. This provision ensures consistent financial backing for NJMEP's services to manufacturers across the state.
This bill adds "Sikhism" to New Jersey's list of protected classes under the state's bias intimidation law (N.J.S.2C:16-1), explicitly including Sikhs in legal protections against hate crimes motivated by religious bias. It directly affects Sikh residents and community members who face discrimination or violence due to their religious identity, such as attacks targeting turbans, beards, or gurdwaras. The key mechanism amends the statute to cover offenses committed "because of their membership within a protected class," including Sikhism, and creates a legal presumption that bias was a motivating factor in such crimes. The bill also appropriates $100,000, likely for educational or support programs related to Sikh community awareness, though specific funding details aren't outlined in the text.
This bill establishes a 24-month pilot program providing monthly cash assistance to 300 low-income renters in New Jersey at risk of eviction. It targets households where rent consumes a high percentage of income ("rent burdened"), with eligibility based on income, rent burden, and eviction risk. Selected households receive direct monthly cash payments (no spending restrictions) calculated using a department formula, funded by a $6.55 million appropriation. The program includes random county-based lottery selection, public outreach, and post-program surveys to evaluate impact.
Bill A 1082 provides emergency state school aid to specific New Jersey school districts facing closure due to state aid cuts. It directly affects districts located in municipalities listed on historic registers, with only one federally built school building (which would revert to federal control if closed), high student achievement, and financial risk from reduced state funding. The bill requires districts to apply annually, and the Commissioner of Education must provide aid equal to the exact amount of state aid reduction threatening the school's operation. This aid aims to prevent closure, protecting both students and the community's historic legacy. The program covers the 2019-2020 through 2024-2025 school years.
This bill establishes the Health Equity Access and Leadership (HEAL) Fund within New Jersey's existing Health Care Subsidy Fund to support underserved communities. It appropriates $25 million from the state General Fund and requires annual allocations of at least 0.1% of projected Health Care Subsidy Fund revenues to the HEAL Fund. The fund will provide competitive grants to community-based health care organizations serving populations facing barriers to care (including those based on race, immigration status, or lack of insurance) that have not received federal funding in the past year. These grants aim to maintain essential health services for vulnerable groups, with the Department of Health required to report annually on fund usage and outcomes.
This bill appropriates $3 million annually from the General Fund to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the State Mosquito Control Commission. The funds will directly support local governments by providing financial assistance for mosquito control activities, research, administration, and operations at the county level. The commission distributes these resources to county mosquito control agencies, which typically operate under local government authority.
This bill appropriates $2.5 million from the state General Fund to the Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) to reimburse joint insurance funds for covering COVID-19 surveillance testing costs. It directly affects insurance plans providing group health coverage to "covered workers" (defined in Governor Murphy's executive orders), specifically for weekly testing of unvaccinated, asymptomatic employees in healthcare and high-risk settings from August 2021 to August 2022. The reimbursement covers costs incurred by insurance funds that voluntarily provided this testing despite federal guidance not requiring it. The bill establishes a process for funds to request reimbursement through DOBI and clarifies that "surveillance testing" refers to routine screening to identify asymptomatic cases, distinct from required medical testing.
S 3635 establishes the "New Jersey Cybersecurity Grant Program" within the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, appropriating $5 million from the General Fund. The program provides grants to financial and healthcare businesses operating in New Jersey that are deemed high-risk for cybersecurity incidents, with a maximum award of $100,000 per business per fiscal year. Businesses must submit applications online and provide documentation like invoices for reimbursement after purchasing qualifying cybersecurity equipment. The bill defines "sensitive businesses" to include financial institutions and healthcare entities operating in the state.
This bill creates a New Jersey grant program to reimburse farmers for tuition and fees of approved courses related to farming, business, or agriculture. It directly affects farmers who own or operate a farm with at least $2,500 in annual sales, including both experienced farmers (10+ years) and new farmers (less than 10 years). Reimbursement percentages increase with course count: experienced farmers get 10-30% back, while new farmers receive 15-35% for qualifying courses. The program is funded by a $100,000 appropriation from the General Fund, administered by the Department of Agriculture.
