Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SJR 71: Recognizes Orange Heart Medal in NJ.

This resolution (SJR 71) is a symbolic recognition by New Jersey of the Orange Heart Medal, which honors Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange. It does not create new benefits or legal changes but formally acknowledges the medal's purpose of recognizing veterans who suffered health impacts from Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. The resolution specifically honors veterans (or surviving spouses) who have received the medal from the private Orange Heart Medal Project, which has awarded approximately 4,000 medals since 2018. New Jersey follows Tennessee's 2019 example in expressing state support for these veterans' sacrifices.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2841: Requires DMVA establish veterans memorial home emergency hotline.

This bill (S 2841) requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to establish an emergency hotline for veterans living in state-operated veterans memorial homes. The hotline would directly serve veterans residing at the Menlo Park, Vineland, and Paramus memorial homes. The bill amends state law (N.J.S.38A:3-6) to mandate this specific emergency communication service. The key provision is the creation of a dedicated phone line for urgent needs, with no additional details provided about operational specifics. This is a procedural requirement focused on improving emergency access for veterans in these facilities.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1190: Establishes legislative internship program for veterans.

S 1190 establishes a New Jersey legislative internship program specifically for veterans. It allows state legislators to hire eligible veterans as interns in their district offices, with approval from their chamber's presiding officer. To qualify, veterans must be honorably discharged, released within five years, at or below E-5/O-3 pay grades, and have at least a 20% service-connected disability (or be Purple Heart recipients); New Jersey residents receive priority. Interns would complete one work period (potentially extendable) performing legislative tasks under a legislator's direction, with the state seeking federal grants to support the program. The bill is currently pending in committee after introduction on January 13, 2026.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2962: Provides seniority service credit to educational support professionals for military service.

This New Jersey bill (S 2962) gives educational support professionals (like cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and administrative staff) who served in the U.S. military and qualify for VA benefits up to four years of seniority credit. The credit counts military service completed before or during their school district employment, treating it as equivalent to actual work time for seniority purposes. It expands an existing benefit currently only available to teaching staff. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1896: 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 requires local government units receiving loans or guarantees from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to create programs helping military- or veteran-owned businesses compete for contracts. It adds this requirement to existing rules that already mandate programs for minority workers and socially disadvantaged contractors. The law directs the Infrastructure Bank to adopt rules ensuring at least 10% of contract funds support small businesses owned by disadvantaged individuals (with federal project requirements adjusted per federal law). It directly affects local governments managing infrastructure projects funded by the bank and military/veteran-owned businesses seeking contract opportunities. The change supplements current contracting policies without altering other existing requirements.

Topics ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1134: Provides free tuition at public institutions of higher education for surviving spouses and dependent children of military personnel killed in performance of duties.

This bill provides free tuition at New Jersey public colleges and universities for dependent children and surviving spouses of New Jersey residents who were killed while serving in the U.S. military. It covers the portion of tuition not already covered by other scholarships or aid, applying to institutions like Rutgers, NJIT, and county colleges. Eligibility lasts eight years after high school graduation for children or eight years from the service member's death for surviving spouses. The program begins for the 2022-2023 academic year and is funded through state appropriations.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2013: 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 equivalent credentials (including education, training, and experience) from another state, provided they were honorably discharged and their out-of-state license is in good standing. It mandates boards to evaluate equivalent qualifications without requiring identical experience hours, while still allowing for standard requirements like examinations. The law directly affects veterans seeking to work in licensed professions (such as nursing, engineering, or cosmetology) who face barriers due to non-portable licensing standards. It aims to facilitate veterans' transition into civilian careers by recognizing their military-earned credentials.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2981: Establishes certain requirements and initiatives related to nurses; appropriates funds.

This bill establishes a state-funded program to support nursing transition-to-practice initiatives for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered professional nurses (RNs) at healthcare facilities. It requires facilities to apply for NJCCN support to create structured 12-month programs with mentorship, full-time schedules, and data tracking, prioritizing veterans' homes, long-term care, and home care providers. The New Jersey Board of Nursing will allocate up to $2 million annually for financial, material, and technical assistance to approved facilities based on their applications. The bill also updates governance for the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN), including board composition and appointment processes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1920: Establishes "Welcome Home Veterans Bonus" program in DMVA.

This bill establishes a "Welcome Home Veterans Bonus" program within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). It provides cash payments to eligible veterans who served in specific military operations (like Operation Enduring Freedom), were honorably discharged, and resided in New Jersey for at least six months before entering service. Veterans receive $1,000 for overseas service with hostile fire pay, $500 for domestic or non-hostile overseas service, and $300 for certain expeditionary medal service, with additional 50% payments for subsequent deployments. The program also includes eligibility for veterans discharged due to sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status (per DD-214), and provides payments to heirs for deceased veterans meeting criteria.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2775: Provides police training course credit to prior military law enforcement officer seeking employment as law enforcement officer in NJ.

This bill (S 2775) allows military law enforcement officers who separated under honorable conditions within the past three years to receive credit toward New Jersey's police training requirements when seeking civilian law enforcement jobs in the state. Specifically, it requires the Police Training Commission to grant exemptions for parts of the basic training course that match their prior military training, provided the courses were substantially equivalent. It does not exempt applicants from the entire training course, only the comparable sections. This directly affects veterans transitioning from military law enforcement roles to positions with New Jersey state, county, or municipal police agencies. The bill amends existing law to ensure military experience is recognized in the state's certification process.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Veteran Employment

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