This Senate Resolution (SR 33) urges the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish an inpatient hospital facility at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. It directly affects approximately 119,200 veterans living in southern New Jersey counties (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem), who currently must travel long distances for inpatient care. The resolution highlights that the nearest VA inpatient facility is over two hours away for many, while the proposed location at the existing military base would shorten travel times and leverage current veteran services. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests the VA take this action.
This bill permits dogs, including emotional support dogs, to visit residents at New Jersey State veterans' residential facilities on a temporary basis, with facility approval. Family members and approved organizations (such as animal shelters or veterans' groups) may bring dogs for visits, requiring leashes indoors and current vaccinations (except for service dogs). Facilities must consider residents' health needs, like respiratory issues, and can deny access if dogs are uncontrolled, not house-trained, or pose a health/safety risk. The bill defines service dogs (trained for disability assistance) and emotional support dogs, and requires the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to adopt rules consistent with federal guidelines.
This bill creates a 10% tax credit against New Jersey business income taxes for developers who build or rehabilitate rental housing exclusively reserved for veterans. The credit covers 10% of "approved costs" (including land, construction, materials, and labor) for qualifying projects, with a maximum annual credit of $5 million statewide. Developers must reserve all units for veterans for at least 15 years and apply for state approval through the Department of Community Affairs. The policy directly affects developers of new or rehabilitated rental properties meeting specific veteran-occupancy requirements.
This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs to partner with qualified law firms to provide free legal help to eligible disabled veterans facing denied disability claims at the federal level. It specifically covers veterans with service-connected disabilities and a net worth under $2 million, who need representation before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims after losing at the VA Board of Appeals. Law firms must specialize in veteran benefits, have 10+ years of experience, maintain a New Jersey office, and meet strict case-quantity requirements. The program requires no fees for veterans and will begin July 1, 2026.
This bill exempts surviving spouses and surviving civil union partners of disabled veterans from New Jersey's realty transfer fees. Specifically, it applies when the veteran qualified for a property tax exemption at death under existing law (C.54:4-3.30) for their home. The exemption covers both the basic state fee and the supplemental fee for selling a one- or two-family home they owned and occupied. It directly affects eligible veterans' spouses/partners who lose their home sale tax burden, aligning their treatment with current exemptions for disabled homeowners. The change amends existing fee exemption statutes to include this group.
This bill establishes a program within New Jersey's veterans' memorial homes to provide direct support services to families of residents. It requires the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to have resident advocates (already established by law) administer the program, making key resources accessible on-site. The program provides family members with timely information on health updates, facility events, state/federal benefits applications, financial assistance, and counseling services - both in-person and referrals for external support. It defines "family member" to include spouses, domestic partners, and children (by blood or adoption) who are New Jersey residents. The bill mandates implementation within 90 days of enactment.
This bill (S 1367) requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to develop a mobile application providing veterans and their families with accessible guidance on state and federal benefits and resources. It directly affects veterans, military families, and service members in New Jersey by creating a centralized tool to navigate programs like healthcare, housing, education, and transition support. The key mechanism is mandating the DMVA to create and maintain this app, building on existing requirements to provide public information about veterans' programs. The bill was withdrawn after being enacted as P.L.2025, c.292, meaning the mobile app requirement is now law.
This bill (S 2347) excludes certain military compensation from New Jersey's gross income tax for residents who serve outside the state. It directly affects New Jersey-domiciled service members stationed or deployed out-of-state for at least six months during a taxable year. The exclusion covers military pay, mustering-out payments, and housing/subsistence allowances received while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or New Jersey National Guard on State active duty. The policy change means eligible service members will not pay New Jersey income tax on these specific military benefits. The bill applies to taxable years beginning after its enactment date.
This bill (S 1872) changes how New Jersey calculates financial responsibility for psychiatric facility care. It specifically excludes veterans' benefits from being counted as income when determining a patient's payment obligation. Under current law, veterans' benefits were included in income calculations for the sliding-scale fee for psychiatric care; this bill removes that inclusion. The change directly affects veterans receiving treatment in state psychiatric facilities, ensuring their veterans' benefits are not considered when calculating their required payments toward care costs.
This bill (S 1593) expands existing law to require New Jersey school districts to allow graduating students who are active members of the U.S. Armed Forces to wear a military sash or stole issued by their service branch during high school graduation ceremonies. It directly affects eligible students who have met all diploma requirements and are otherwise qualified to participate in graduation. The key provision adds "military sash or stole" to the list of permitted attire (previously only dress uniforms were allowed), specifying these items must be issued by a recruiter upon enlistment. The change applies immediately upon enactment and applies to all public school districts in New Jersey.
