AJR 106 designates September 22nd each year as "Veterans Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Day" in New Jersey. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about the high suicide rates among veterans and active military members - citing over 65,000 veteran and active-duty suicides since 2010 - and reduce stigma around mental health treatment. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance through activities that honor those who died by suicide and support affected families. This ceremonial resolution does not create new programs or funding but seeks to foster community recognition of a critical public health issue affecting military service members.
This bill establishes New Jersey's "Veterans and Military Spouses Asset Protection Act," providing enhanced financial safeguards for veterans, active-duty service members, and their military spouses. It directly protects their primary and secondary homes from creditor claims (like forced sales for debt), exempts retirement accounts, pensions, disability benefits, and up to $30,000 in vehicle value per household, and extends these protections to surviving spouses. Key exceptions include mortgages, unpaid taxes, and debts from fraud or criminal activity. The law applies to debts incurred on or after January 1, 2025, and complements existing federal protections like the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
This bill (S 3540) creates the New Jersey Veterans' Organization Building Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to nonprofit veterans' organizations for acquiring, constructing, or improving their facilities. The program, administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), offers grants covering building-related costs like construction, repairs, and equipment. It directly affects eligible veterans' groups across New Jersey that own or seek to establish physical locations for their operations. The bill establishes this funding mechanism through statutory amendments without altering veterans' benefits or services.
Bill A 3045 removes the requirement that owners of veteran and disabled veteran-owned businesses must be New Jersey residents to qualify for certification. The change applies only to small and medium-sized businesses as defined by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. It allows businesses with their principal place of business in New Jersey to be certified as veteran-owned or disabled veteran-owned even if the owners live in another state. This enables out-of-state veteran and disabled veteran business owners to compete for New Jersey state contracts.
This bill designates May 1st of each year as "Silver Star Service Banner Day" in New Jersey to honor military service members and veterans who were wounded or became ill during service. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day, aligning with a national recognition established by Congress in 2010. The resolution does not create new policies or funding but provides symbolic recognition through an annual observance.
This bill proposes establishing New Jersey's "Gold Star Family Annuity Program" within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It would provide eligible surviving family members of service members who died on active duty with an annual $600 payment starting January 1 each year, with future increases tied to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefit adjustments (minimum 1%, maximum 4% annually). The program specifically supports New Jersey residents who are spouses, domestic partners, parents, siblings, children, or legal guardians of fallen service members. Residency is required for eligibility, and remarriage does not disqualify recipients. The bill defines "Gold Star family member" and outlines application requirements, including proof of relationship and New Jersey residency.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to create a free bereavement counseling program for family members and specific volunteer caregivers of veterans who died by suicide. It directly affects spouses, parents, children, household residents, and unpaid volunteer caregivers who provided counseling for at least three months before the veteran's death. Key provisions include matching applicants with licensed clinicians (max 30 counseling hours per year, up to 24 months), requiring funeral directors and Veteran Service Officers to provide program information, and allowing applications for up to five years after the veteran's death. The program must be administered at no cost to participants, with DMVA responsible for recruiting clinicians and coordinating with federal VA resources.
This bill allows New Jersey disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities to deduct up to $5,000 annually from their gross income for service animal expenses. Eligible costs include purchasing, training, and maintaining the animal (such as food, grooming, and veterinary care), provided these expenses aren't already deductible as medical costs under existing law. To claim the deduction, veterans must submit proof of eligibility to the Division of Taxation. The policy applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2024, and defines "disabled veteran" as a resident honorably discharged from military service with a VA-recognized disability, while "service animal" follows federal ADA standards.
This bill (A 2364) requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DVA) to notify specific veteran organizations, county officers, and municipal registers when individuals are buried or cremated in state veteran cemeteries. It amends state law to mandate that the DVA provide these entities with the names of deceased veterans interred or cremated at state facilities. The key mechanism is a new notification requirement, ensuring these groups receive timely burial/cremation information. This affects veteran service organizations, local government officials, and municipal record-keepers who may need this data for community services or historical records. (Note: The bill was withdrawn as it was approved as P.L.2025, c.229.)
This bill maintains the property tax exemption for homes owned by New Jersey disabled veterans with a 100% service-connected disability, even after the home is destroyed by a flood, storm, or other natural disaster. The exemption continues as long as the veteran begins substantial rebuilding or repairs within four years of the destruction. It directly affects disabled veterans who lost their tax-exempt status when their homes were damaged by events like Superstorm Sandy, ensuring they retain the exemption during reconstruction. The change modifies existing law to clarify that the tax-exempt status applies to the land and rebuilt home, not just the original structure.
