Veterans (Veteran Employment) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1901: Broadens eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.

This bill (A 1901) removes specific date and location requirements for veterans to qualify for New Jersey civil service and pension benefits. It eliminates past restrictions that limited eligibility to veterans who served during exact timeframes (e.g., "between July 14, 1914 and November 11, 1918") or in specific locations (e.g., "in Lebanon" for certain missions). The key change amends the definition of "veteran" in state law to broaden eligibility, allowing veterans who served honorably in designated conflicts to qualify without proving they met these prior time or place conditions. This directly affects veterans whose service history no longer aligns with the old, narrow criteria but otherwise meets the general eligibility standards.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 3705: Directs DCA to end veteran homelessness within three years.

This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to create and implement a plan ending veteran homelessness within three years, following federal benchmarks. It affects all New Jersey veterans (defined broadly as anyone who served in the U.S. military, regardless of service length or discharge type). Key mechanisms include establishing a statewide list of at-risk veterans, coordinating with service providers to share data, prioritizing veterans for housing benefits, connecting veterans to health/employment resources, and using "Housing First" principles to rapidly secure permanent housing. The DCA must submit progress reports to the Governor and Legislature after the initial three years and every three years thereafter, with the plan updated regularly to maintain housing stability. The bill takes effect immediately.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Homelessness Veteran Employment Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3843: Provides police training course credit to prior military law enforcement officer seeking employment as law enforcement officer in NJ.

This bill (A-3843) allows military law enforcement officers who separated under honorable conditions within the past three years to receive training course credits toward New Jersey's basic police officer certification. It requires the Police Training Commission to grant exemptions for portions of the training course that match their prior military law enforcement training, without waiving the entire course requirement. The policy directly affects veterans seeking to become sworn law enforcement officers in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4173: Creates Veterans Affairs Oversight Board.

This bill creates a Veterans Affairs Oversight Board within New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs to monitor all state programs and services for veterans and military families. The board will oversee veteran service officers, state agencies providing these services, and their programs, requiring agencies to submit biannual reports on services delivered and appoint liaisons. Board members will be appointed from veteran service organizations and elected to lead, with mandatory monthly meetings and annual budget reviews for veteran programs. This structure aims to enhance accountability and transparency in how state resources support veterans and their families.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 1900: Establishes price preference program on State contracts for businesses owned by women veterans or women in military service.

This bill creates a 10% price preference for businesses owned by women veterans or women actively serving in the U.S. military when bidding on New Jersey state contracts paid with public funds. Qualified businesses must be independently owned, have their main office in New Jersey, be at least 51% owned/controlled by eligible women, and have daily operations managed by them. If such a business meets all contract requirements and becomes the lowest bidder after applying the 10% preference, the state must award it the contract. The preference also continues if a woman owner dies and her spouse assumes ownership of the business.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3583: Expands eligibility for veterans' civil service preference; creates additional preference benefits.

This bill expands New Jersey's civil service hiring preferences for veterans who qualify under federal standards but not current state definitions. It grants disabled veterans meeting federal criteria (5 U.S.C. §2108) 10 extra points on state exam scores, and other veterans meeting federal criteria 5 extra points. These benefits apply only to those passing open competitive exams after the bill's effective date (July following enactment). A constitutional amendment must first be approved by voters to allow the disabled veteran point increase.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3687: Allows tax credits for employing members of NJ National Guard and members of reserve component of US Armed Forces.

This bill creates tax credits for New Jersey businesses that employ members of the New Jersey National Guard or the reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces. Employers receive a $1,500 credit per qualified service member who has not completed a deployment or activation, or $2,500 for those who have completed or returned from deployment. The credit applies to both the corporation business tax and the gross income tax, with specific rules for partnerships and S corporations. It directly benefits employers hiring military reservists, aiming to incentivize their employment through targeted tax relief.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1097: Concerns definition of veteran for civil service hiring preference.

This bill (NJ A1097) amends New Jersey's definition of "veteran" for civil service hiring preferences. It clarifies that veterans must provide evidence of service duration (typically 90 days for most conflicts, or 14 days for specific peacekeeping missions like Lebanon, Grenada, or Panama) to qualify for hiring preference, with exceptions for those with service-connected injuries or disabilities. The change directly affects veterans applying for state civil service jobs who must meet these updated service requirements and submit documentation to the Adjutant General. The bill focuses on defining eligibility criteria rather than creating new benefits. It is currently in committee review after introduction on January 13, 2026.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2415: Requires local government units to provide opportunities for military- or veteran- owned businesses to supply materials and services for projects receiving funding from NJ Infrastructure Bank.

This bill (A 2415) requires local governments receiving loans or guarantees from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to establish programs ensuring military- or veteran-owned businesses (or their spouses) can compete for contracts supplying materials and services on infrastructure projects. It expands existing NJIB requirements - currently mandating programs for minority hiring and socially/economically disadvantaged contractors - to specifically include military/veteran-owned businesses. The key provision adds this new category to the affirmative action programs local governments must adopt for NJIB-funded projects. It does not set a specific contract percentage for these businesses, unlike the 10% requirement for disadvantaged businesses. The bill directly affects local governments and contractors working on NJIB-funded infrastructure projects.

Topics ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3045: Removes residency requirement for certain veteran and disabled veteran-owned businesses.

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.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment

All veterans bills