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.
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.
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.
S 910 establishes the "Bring Veterans to New Jersey Program" to help New Jersey employers recruit veterans by covering relocation costs. The program reimburses participating employers up to $5,000 per veteran for eligible expenses (like moving costs), provided veterans accept a job with the employer and work there for at least 12 months. Veterans must create profiles through a contracted nonprofit to connect with employers, and employers must pay relocation costs upfront before seeking state reimbursement. If a veteran leaves before 12 months due to circumstances beyond their control (e.g., layoff or family emergency), the state may forgive part or all of the repayment. This directly affects New Jersey employers who join the program and veterans relocating to work in the state.
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, S 1364, provides New Jersey veterans with tuition-free education at their local county college for up to 60 credits. To qualify, veterans must be New Jersey residents who served honorably in the military and apply for all available state, federal, and VA benefits (including the Post-9/11 GI Bill) before receiving this tuition waiver. Military service credits earned at the college count toward the 60-credit limit. The benefit applies only to tuition, not other fees, and takes effect for the first full academic year after enactment.
This bill requires NJ Transit to expand its Access Link paratransit service to cover all U.S. Veterans Health Administration facilities in New Jersey. It mandates that Access Link service be available within a 1.5-mile radius around each facility and along a 1.5-mile-wide corridor connecting each facility to the nearest NJ Transit bus route or light rail station, regardless of whether these locations fall within the current service area. The bill appropriates $1 million from the state General Fund to cover implementation costs and prohibits NJ Transit from entering new contracts for Access Link service unless they comply with these expanded requirements. This change directly affects veterans using these health facilities who rely on paratransit for medical appointments.
S 1838 codifies New Jersey's "Bringing Veterans Home Initiative" to provide safe housing for unhoused veterans. It directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs (with the Department of Veterans Affairs) to create six regional hubs, establish a standardized referral form, and use data to target housing assistance. The bill connects veterans to existing programs like the Homeless Prevention Program and Work First NJ benefits to accelerate housing placements. This initiative directly affects homeless veterans statewide by streamlining access to housing support through coordinated state agencies.
This bill creates tax credits for New Jersey employers who hire immediate family members (spouse, child, or parent) of military members killed in action. Employers receive a 10% credit on qualified wages paid to these new hires, capped at $1,200 per family member per tax year, provided the employee works full-time for at least nine consecutive months. The credit is nonrefundable but can be carried forward for up to 20 years, and employers cannot combine it with other state tax credits for the same wages. It applies to both corporation business tax and gross income tax, effective for tax years starting after the bill's enactment.
