Veterans (Veteran Housing) in New Jersey

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

A 384: Requires DMVA establish veterans memorial home emergency hotline.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to establish an emergency hotline specifically for veterans living in state-operated veterans memorial homes (including Menlo Park, Vineland, and Paramus locations). It amends existing law (N.J.S.38A:3-6) to mandate this hotline as a direct service for veterans residing in these facilities. The key mechanism is the DMVA's obligation to create and maintain this dedicated emergency contact line. The bill directly affects veterans living in New Jersey's veterans memorial homes by providing immediate access to emergency support. It is a procedural measure focused on improving emergency response capabilities for this specific population.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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

A 3016: Concerns standards for fair share affordable housing credit for housing reserved for veterans; requires veteran preference in certain affordable housing application administration.

This bill (A 3016) allows New Jersey municipalities to reserve affordable housing units specifically for low- and moderate-income veterans, counting each such unit as a full credit toward the municipality's required affordable housing obligation. It defines "veteran" broadly (including those discharged with military pay) and specifies that units in facilities like Veterans Haven or transitional housing for homeless veterans qualify. The bill amends existing law to ensure these veteran-reserved units receive full credit, similar to other affordable housing units, without requiring additional municipal funding. It directly affects municipalities responsible for meeting housing obligations and veterans seeking affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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

A 1298: Permits veteran's property tax deduction for tax year when veteran was previously qualified to receive deduction and became owner of real property after October 1 of pretax year.

This bill changes New Jersey's veteran property tax deduction rules to help veterans who purchase a home after October 1 but before December 31 of the tax year. It allows veterans to qualify for the deduction on their new home if they were previously eligible for the deduction on another property in the state before October 1. The key change removes the requirement that veterans must own the property by October 1, preventing loss of benefits when moving homes late in the year. This applies directly to veterans who become property owners after October 1 but before year-end.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing

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

A 2446: Authorizes local governments to provide voluntary contributions to certain nonprofit veterans' organizations.

This bill (A 2446) allows New Jersey counties and municipalities to make voluntary annual contributions of up to $70,000 to qualifying nonprofit veterans' organizations. The funds must be used for specific veteran services like housing assistance, mental health support, career transition programs, and family resources. Local governments must receive annual accounting from these organizations detailing how the funds were spent to support veterans within their jurisdiction. The bill defines eligible organizations as those meeting IRS 501(c)(19) tax-exempt status and providing services related to veterans' physical, emotional, or medical needs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4056: Requires DVA establish Veterans Outdoor Recovery Task Force.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to create a Veterans Outdoor Recovery Task Force. The task force, led by DVA and Environmental Protection commissioners, will identify barriers to using public outdoor spaces for veteran mental health treatment and develop recommendations to improve access. It must hold public hearings statewide, coordinate with land agencies, and submit findings to the legislature and governor within 18 months. The policy directly affects veterans - particularly those with PTSD, as cited by the bill - by aiming to expand outdoor therapy options as part of their recovery.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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

A 4172: Provides gross income tax credit to certain totally and permanently disabled veterans for rent constituting property taxes.

This bill (A4172) creates a tax credit for New Jersey residents who are totally and permanently disabled veterans and pay rent for their primary residence. The credit equals rent payments that qualify as property taxes under existing law, reducing their gross income tax liability. To qualify, veterans must have a service-connected disability (e.g., paraplegia, blindness, or amputation) as certified by the U.S. Veterans Administration. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans may also claim the credit during their widowhood/widowerhood. The credit applies to rental housing occupied as a principal residence and is processed through the state tax authority.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Renters Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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

A 2697: Prohibits nursing homes from restricting patients from obtaining drugs through prescription drug program offered by federal Department of Veterans Affairs.

This New Jersey bill prohibits nursing homes from blocking patients who use the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prescription drug program. Nursing homes may not restrict access to VA medications but can require drugs to be dispensed according to their facility's standard policies. It directly affects veterans and eligible patients residing in New Jersey nursing homes who participate in VA drug coverage. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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

A 1911: Requires counties to specify expenditures concerning veterans' services when submitting budget to Division of Local Government Services in DCA.

This bill (A 1911) requires New Jersey counties to separately list spending on veterans' services - such as transportation and employment counseling - in their annual budgets submitted to the Division of Local Government Services. It directly affects county governments, mandating they specify these expenditures instead of grouping them with other services. The key provision is a new budget reporting requirement, ensuring transparency about how funds are allocated to veterans' programs. The bill applies to all county budgets submitted after its effective date, which follows enactment. It does not create new programs or funding but improves accountability in existing budget submissions.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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

A 4171: Requires DVA conduct outcomes and efficacy study of veteran to veteran peer support helpline.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to conduct a two-year study on the effectiveness of the veteran-to-veteran peer support helpline (commonly called the "vet to vet hotline"). The study will analyze national suicide data and helpline records to evaluate how well the program prevents suicide, supports veterans in accessing mental health care, and serves those in crisis. The DVA must submit a report to the Legislature within six months of the study's completion and may propose new legislation to improve the helpline's services. The bill directly affects the DVA and the existing veteran support program, focusing on measurable outcomes rather than operational changes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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

A 1658: Establishes Veterans State Government Fellowship program.

Bill A-1658 establishes the Veterans State Government Fellowship program at Rutgers' Eagleton Institute of Politics, creating a paid fellowship for eligible New Jersey veterans. The program selects up to eight veterans (within 10 years of honorable discharge, at or below E-9/O-5 rank) to work for one year - four in legislative offices (Senate/Assembly majority/minority offices) and four in state departments or agencies. Each fellow receives a stipend comparable to other Rutgers fellowships, funded by an annual $600,000 state appropriation. The program aims to provide veterans with hands-on training in legislative and executive government processes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

All veterans bills