This bill would exempt the sale of condoms from New Jersey's sales tax, making them more affordable for consumers who purchase them. It adds condoms to the existing list of tax-exempt medical items, which includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, diabetic supplies, and tampons. The exemption would apply to all sales made four months after the bill becomes law. The sponsor cited rising sexually transmitted disease rates and stated the goal is to increase condom accessibility to encourage responsible personal behavior.
This bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to provide traditional fee-for-service coverage for long-term care services (like those from assisted living residences or personal care homes) to beneficiaries who are eligible for Medicaid's managed long-term services program but are still waiting to enroll in a managed care organization (MCO). Coverage begins when eligibility is confirmed and ends when MCO enrollment starts, preventing service gaps during the transition. It applies directly to Medicaid beneficiaries in this pending enrollment phase. The bill codifies an existing Medicaid policy, ensuring consistent coverage without creating new benefits.
This bill requires New Jersey electric utilities to reimburse residential customers for spoiled food and prescription medicine when power outages last more than 48 hours after a major storm. Customers must submit an itemized list and proof of loss (like receipts) to claim reimbursement for actual costs. Utilities must create an online system within 90 days for customers to apply for these reimbursements. The policy directly affects homeowners and renters who experience prolonged outages causing refrigeration loss.
S 1597 requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to create a free bereavement counseling program for family members and volunteer caregivers of veterans who died by suicide. The program provides up to 24 months of counseling (max 30 hours yearly) through clinicians licensed in mental health fields, matching participants with available clinicians after application. Eligible participants include spouses, parents, siblings, or unpaid volunteer caregivers from qualified veterans' organizations who provided care for at least three months before the veteran's death. The DMVA must proactively inform grieving families through Veteran Service Officers and funeral directors when a veteran's death is by suicide, and the program will be advertised online. This bill directly affects New Jersey veterans' families and unpaid caregivers grieving suicide losses, with implementation beginning six months after enactment.
S 538 requires applicants seeking to locate a substance use disorder treatment center within 500 feet of a school to notify local municipal and county planning officials before submitting their main license application. It mandates that applicants also request a resolution of local support from the municipal governing body and submit this resolution along with their license application. This bill directly affects treatment center applicants who wish to operate near schools, adding a community engagement step to the approval process. The requirement applies to new applications submitted after the bill's effective date, modifying existing licensing procedures under New Jersey law. The bill does not change the definition of treatment centers or apply to existing applications filed before enactment.
This bill requires new public buildings or those undergoing substantial renovation (costing over $40,000) to install induction loop listening systems - hardwired systems that transmit sound directly to hearing aids and cochlear implants for people with hearing loss. It applies to spaces like theaters, libraries, banks, medical waiting areas, and grocery checkouts, mandating visible signage and biennial maintenance checks. Owners may request exemption if installation is deemed impractical by local authorities, but must still submit self-certification of system functionality every two years. The law aligns with New Jersey’s construction code and aims to improve accessibility in public venues without requiring retrofits for existing buildings.
This bill increases the percentage of cigarette and tobacco tax revenues dedicated to anti-smoking programs in New Jersey from 1% to 3%. It directs these funds - projected to rise from approximately $5 million to $15 million annually - to the Department of Health for evidence-based tobacco control programs. These programs must align with CDC best practices and focus on preventing youth smoking, reducing secondhand smoke exposure, and promoting cessation, with priority given to Medicaid populations and youth initiatives. The change applies to revenues collected under the Cigarette Tax Act and Tobacco Products Tax Act, effective for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2025.
This bill requires that parties involved in arbitration cases about personal injury protection (PIP) coverage claims must be represented by a licensed New Jersey attorney. It specifically applies to disputes over PIP coverage, which covers medical costs after car accidents under existing New Jersey law. The requirement takes effect 90 days after the bill becomes law and applies only to new arbitration cases filed after that date. This changes the process for handling certain auto insurance disputes by mandating legal representation in these specific proceedings.
This bill shifts $45 million in state funding for opioid care from the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund to the General Fund for the 2026 fiscal year. The funds must be distributed to four specific hospitals - $10 million to Hackensack, $15 million to RWJ Barnabas, $15 million to Cooper, and $5 million to Atlantic Health - to provide opioid-related treatment. Each hospital must submit quarterly reports detailing fund usage, patient outcomes, and remaining balances until all funds are expended.
This bill (S 145) creates a New Jersey state tax deduction for seniors (62+), blind, or disabled taxpayers. It allows up to $50,000 annually in deductions for qualified long-term care expenses (like in-home care, assisted living, or nursing facility services) paid for the taxpayer, their spouse, or disabled dependents. It also provides a separate $50,000 deduction for unreimbursed funeral expenses of a spouse or disabled dependent who was 62+ or disabled at death. The deduction applies only to unreimbursed expenses not already claimed under existing medical expense tax rules.
