Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

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

A 815: Requires professional boards to issue licenses under certain circumstances to veterans with credentials in good standing from another jurisdiction.

This bill requires New Jersey professional licensing boards to issue licenses to veterans who hold valid licenses in good standing from another state. It applies to veterans with an honorable military discharge who meet standard requirements like passing exams. Boards must evaluate equivalent training/experience without demanding identical hours of work. The goal is to help veterans transfer their licensed skills more easily when moving to New Jersey, reducing barriers to employment in licensed professions.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SCR 95: Proposes constitutional amendment authorizing Legislature to extend civil service hiring preference to veterans who did not serve in time of war.

SCR 95 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove the requirement that veterans must have served "in time of war" to receive a civil service hiring preference in New Jersey. Currently, only veterans who served during wartime qualify for this preference when applying for state or local government jobs. If approved by voters, the amendment would allow the Legislature to extend this hiring preference to veterans who served during peacetime. This change would directly affect veterans with non-war military service, making them eligible for the same hiring advantage as wartime veterans.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3579: Provides same military service credit for compensation purposes to noncertificated employees of school districts that is provided to certificated employees under current law.

This bill (S 3579) extends military service credit for compensation purposes to noncertificated school district employees (such as administrators or support staff) who are hired on or after the bill's effective date. Currently, certificated employees (like teachers) receive this credit, but noncertificated staff did not. The bill provides that eligible noncertificated employees will receive equivalent credit for military service toward compensation increments, limited to four increments. This applies only to new hires and does not reduce existing benefits under other laws.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

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

A 3684: Establishes Military Funeral Honors Grant Program to provide grants to certain veteran organizations that provide military funeral honors.

This bill creates a grant program to provide financial support to nonprofit veteran organizations that offer military funeral honors in New Jersey. Qualified organizations - those recognized as tax-exempt under federal law (501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19)) - can receive grants of up to $75 per funeral to cover costs like mileage and transportation. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will administer the program, including setting application rules and managing a dedicated revolving fund for the grants. Grants may be reduced for multiple funerals on the same day, and organizations must submit proof of expenses to receive payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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

A 1028: Provides PFRS member in federal or State military service who is injured or killed with disability or death benefits.

This bill amends New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to extend death and disability benefits to members injured or killed while on active military duty (federal or state). It defines members on such duty - ordered by the President for federal service or the Governor for state service - as "active members" for benefit purposes, ensuring they qualify for the same death benefits as if actively serving in their department. The amendment covers both death benefits for survivors (including lump-sum payments) and disability retirement benefits for members disabled during military service. This directly affects PFRS members who serve in the military while retaining their retirement system eligibility.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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

AJR 18: Urges US Department of Veterans Affairs to study use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans.

AJR 18 is a non-binding New Jersey joint resolution urging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a potential treatment for veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD or traumatic brain injury (TBI). It does not create new programs or funding but requests the VA conduct research on HBOT's efficacy, referencing existing VA pilot programs and prior evidence reviews. The resolution directly addresses the VA, not veterans or healthcare providers, and focuses on gathering evidence to inform future treatment options. It was introduced in the New Jersey Assembly's Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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

A 378: Requires Veterans' Memorial Homes to develop and maintain emergency preparedness and response plans.

This bill requires New Jersey's Division of Veterans' Healthcare Services to create and maintain emergency plans specifically for state-run Veterans' Memorial Homes. The plans must identify potential emergencies, outline response steps, establish standardized procedures for all homes (including training), and ensure timely information sharing with residents, families, and staff. It directly affects Veterans' Memorial Homes across New Jersey and their residents. The law takes immediate effect and does not override existing federal or state emergency regulations.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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

A 460: Allows person on police officer or firefighter eligible list who is unable to complete requirements for employment due to certain military service to have name placed on subsequent eligible list.

This bill helps National Guard and Reserve members who passed police or firefighter civil service exams but couldn't start jobs due to military service. If they served 30+ consecutive days after September 11, 2001, during specified military operations (including Operation Enduring Freedom and Freedom’s Sentinel), their name moves to the next eligible hiring list for the same job type. It also extends age eligibility - those who met age requirements when the exam closed are considered eligible when their name is added to the new list. The bill applies only to those whose military service prevented completing employment requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Policing Public Employees National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment

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

A 3274: Establishes Military Suicide Prevention Task Force.

This New Jersey bill creates a 17-member Military Suicide Prevention Task Force within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Department of Human Services. The task force includes military leaders, veterans, mental health experts, and representatives from state agencies, with specific requirements for veteran representation and expertise in areas like PTSD and military sexual trauma. Its key duties are to review military suicide issues, identify evidence-based prevention strategies, recommend state actions (including legislation), and submit biannual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The task force directly affects active-duty service members, veterans, and state agencies responsible for military and veteran services in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Benefits Veteran Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 1040: Provides for expansion of county transportation services to include disabled veterans; provides funding source for expansion.

This bill expands New Jersey's existing Senior Citizens and Disabled Residents Transportation Assistance Program to provide transportation services specifically for disabled veterans needing to attend medical appointments for service-connected conditions. It directs the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to work with counties to identify veterans' transportation needs and provides funding by redirecting 4% of casino revenue fund allocations (previously used for senior/disabled transport) to cover these new services. The program helps counties pay for expanded transit options, including door-to-door service or subsidized rides, for veterans certified with service-connected disabilities by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This directly affects disabled veterans in New Jersey who require transportation to VA-approved medical appointments but are not covered by existing travel reimbursement programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

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