This bill creates a dedicated sexual assault prevention and response program and coordinator within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, specifically for service members including the New Jersey National Guard. The program allows victims to file confidential complaints with the coordinator (independently from military leadership), receive advocacy services, and access victim compensation. Key provisions include the coordinator referring cases to the Attorney General for investigation, assisting victims in obtaining protective orders, and requiring annual reports on program effectiveness and sexual assault statistics. The bill directly affects service members who experience sexual assault and provides new reporting mechanisms and support services.
This bill would create a New Jersey program providing up to $10,000 in matching grants to help eligible military members purchase homes. It directly affects members of the U.S. Armed Forces and New Jersey National Guard who served at least 90 days in Operation Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, or Iraqi Freedom, are legal New Jersey residents, and plan to buy a primary residence in the state. The grants match the recipient's contribution dollar-for-dollar for closing costs or equity payments, with no income requirement (though priority would go to those eligible for other state housing programs). The program would be administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency in coordination with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.
This bill (S 1587) modifies New Jersey law to provide enhanced leave and compensation protections for public employees who serve in the military reserves or National Guard. It directly affects state, county, school district, and municipal employees who are active or retired military members. Key provisions require public employers to grant up to 30 paid workdays of leave annually for military service (including travel days and transitional leave), maintain retirement/health benefits during leave, and cover pay for service exceeding 30 days through collective bargaining agreements or employer discretion. The bill also clarifies that "active duty" includes medical appointments related to military service. It is currently pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (introduced January 13, 2026).
This bill excludes reenlistment and voluntary extension bonuses for U.S. Armed Forces members from New Jersey's gross income tax. It amends the state tax code to specifically remove these bonuses from taxable income, applying to all active-duty and reserve service members, including New Jersey National Guard members on State active duty. The policy directly affects military personnel who receive such bonuses as part of their service compensation. This change provides tax relief by reducing the taxable income of these service members for New Jersey tax purposes.
This bill amends New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on "service in the Armed Forces of the United States or liability for service" (covering active duty, veterans, and National Guard/reserve members) in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It directly affects military service members, veterans, and their families by adding these categories to the list of protected characteristics under the law. The key mechanism is updating existing definitions and prohibitions in the statute to include military service status as a protected class, ensuring equal treatment in employment, housing, and public spaces. This change aligns with New Jersey's existing anti-discrimination framework without creating new enforcement mechanisms.
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 extends New Jersey's tuition benefit to children and surviving spouses of U.S. Armed Forces members who died while on active duty (previously limited to New Jersey National Guard members). It allows eligible dependents to attend public colleges tuition-free for up to 16 credits per semester, subject to applying for all other available state, federal, and VA education benefits first. Additionally, it provides a new monetary award equal to 10% of tuition costs for non-tuition expenses like housing, meals, or supplies. The benefit applies to public institutions listed in state law and takes effect immediately for the next academic year.
This resolution (SCR 49) is a symbolic request from the New Jersey Legislature urging Congress to pass federal legislation exempting military retirement pay from federal income tax. It directly affects military retirees who receive retirement pay based on years of service (typically 20+ years), as this income is currently taxable under federal law. The resolution highlights that military retirees face unique challenges after service and argues they should not pay federal income tax on their retirement benefits. It does not change tax law itself but asks Congress to take action on this issue. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a bill with binding effect.)
This bill (S 2379) expands free admission to New Jersey State parks and forests to include active-duty U.S. military personnel (including reserves), veterans, and New Jersey-resident first responders (such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs). It also extends free admission to immediate family members (spouses, children, parents, etc.) of qualifying individuals when they are physically present with them. Currently, free admission covers only NJ National Guard members, seniors 62+, and disabled residents; this bill adds the new categories without changing existing provisions. The policy change applies to all state parks and forests, with specific definitions provided for "veteran," "first responder," and "immediate family member" in the bill text.
This bill amends New Jersey's affordable housing law to permit municipalities to establish a preference for low and moderate income veterans who served during wars or emergencies in affordable housing projects. It allows cities and towns to agree with developers to reserve up to 50% of affordable units for these veterans, giving them priority during the first 90 days of a project's marketing period. After the initial 90 days, remaining units become available to the general public until the end of a 120-day marketing period. Veterans who qualify are placed on a special waiting list to maintain the preference level as units become available, without requiring municipalities to adopt this preference.
