Veterans (Military Families)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4341: Allows for issuance of two-year temporary courtesy license for nonresident military spouses in certain professions.

This bill allows New Jersey professional licensing boards to issue two-year temporary courtesy licenses to nonresident military spouses who are active-duty spouses transferred to the state. To qualify, applicants must hold a current license in another jurisdiction, have practiced their profession for at least two of the last five years, and pass a criminal background check along with any required fees or exams. Once issued, these licenses grant the same rights and obligations as standard resident licenses, but they can be automatically revoked if the spouse's license is suspended or revoked in their home state due to criminal offenses or misconduct. The legislation primarily affects military families moving to New Jersey and the state's various professional licensing boards.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill facilitates employment for military spouses by easing licensing barriers, directly supporting veteran family stability and reintegration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Tags Licensing

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 11, 2026

A 5033: Requires DHS to cover child care services for veterans under certain circumstances.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to provide full child care reimbursement vouchers to eligible veterans. The program specifically targets veterans who are honorably discharged and need to access non-medical services at a Veterans Affairs center or receive inpatient and outpatient care within the VA New Jersey Healthcare System. Under the legislation, a veteran's child must be enrolled in a licensed child care center for the state to cover the associated costs. The Department of Human Services will work with the Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs to create the necessary rules to implement this assistance immediately.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates reimbursement for child care for veterans accessing VA healthcare, improving access to necessary medical services.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates DHS to provide child care reimbursement vouchers to eligible veterans, directly expanding benefits and supporting their access to VA services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4593: Extends eligibility for tuition benefit to dependents of members of United States Armed Forces who died while on active duty.

This bill expands tuition assistance in New Jersey to include dependents of U.S. Armed Forces members who died while on active duty, extending a benefit currently limited to New Jersey National Guard members. It allows eligible children or surviving spouses to attend public colleges tuition-free for up to 16 credits per semester if they meet standard enrollment and financial aid requirements. Additionally, the bill provides a monetary award equal to 10 percent of tuition costs to be used for non-tuition expenses like housing, dining, and fees. The changes apply to the first full academic year following enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands tuition assistance for dependents of fallen service members, increasing educational access and funding for higher education.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands tuition benefits to dependents of fallen service members, strengthening support for military families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4589: Extends eligibility for Military Dependents Scholarships to students enrolled in approved career and technical education programs and to dependents of certain military members who served in Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve.

This bill expands eligibility for New Jersey's Military Dependents Scholarship program to include students enrolled in approved career and technical education programs, in addition to undergraduate studies. It also extends scholarship eligibility to dependents of military members who served in Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve, alongside previously covered operations. The legislation modifies the governing board to require at least five public members who were directly affected by specific military operations, ensuring representation from those with direct experience. Scholarships remain available for spouses, children, or other eligible dependents of New Jersey residents who were killed, missing in action, or permanently disabled due to service in the specified operations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands scholarship eligibility to career and technical education programs and adds new military dependents, increasing educational access and funding opportunities.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands Military Dependents Scholarship eligibility to include career/technical education and adds new military operations, directly strengthening veteran benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Military Families Veteran Education

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

A 269: Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for employing immediate family members of members of the Armed Forces of the United States who were killed in action.

This New Jersey bill creates tax credits for businesses that hire immediate family members (spouse, child, or parent) of military personnel killed in action. Employers receive a 10% credit on qualified wages paid to these new full-time employees, capped at $1,200 per family member annually, for employment lasting at least nine consecutive months. The credit is nonrefundable but can be carried forward for up to 20 years, and it cannot be combined with other state employment tax credits. The bill applies to wages subject to New Jersey's Gross Income Tax and includes provisions for recapturing credits due to noncompliance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits for businesses, reducing state tax revenue through targeted relief for military families' employment, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tax credits for hiring families of service members killed in action, directly supporting veteran family economic stability through employment incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Military Families Veteran Employment

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

A 879: Excludes from New Jersey gross income tax income of certain related survivors of members of United States military who die in active duty.

New Jersey's Bill A 879 exempts from state gross income tax certain income received by surviving spouses and unmarried children of New Jersey-resident military members who die in active duty under specific conditions. It applies to surviving spouses (who are New Jersey residents and have not remarried) and unmarried children under 19 (or qualifying as federal dependents) who were claimed as dependents by the deceased service member or surviving spouse. To claim the exemption, survivors must annually certify their eligibility to the state tax authority, which then issues written proof to employers to prevent tax withholding on their wages. The exclusion covers income received during the taxable year and takes effect for years beginning after the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts military survivors' income from NJ gross income tax, providing tax relief per bill's explicit tax exemption for qualifying dependents.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts survivors' income from tax, providing financial support to families of service members who died in active duty, directly advancing veteran family benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Military Families

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

A 1772: Provides tuition benefits at public institutions of higher education for dependents of certain veterans.

This bill (A 1772) provides free undergraduate tuition and mandatory student fees at New Jersey public colleges for dependents of qualifying veterans. It directly affects children (ages 17-26), spouses, civil union partners, or domestic partners of veterans who were New Jersey residents when entering active duty and who were killed in action, declared POW/MIA, permanently and totally disabled (100% service-connected), or died from a service-connected disability. To qualify, dependents must be New Jersey residents, enrolled full-time in good standing at a public institution, and have applied for all available state and federal grants/scholarships. Benefits are capped at the credit hours needed for a bachelor’s degree (at four-year colleges) or associate degree (at community colleges), and spouse/partner benefits expire after 10 years or upon remarriage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides free tuition at public colleges for veterans' dependents, expanding access to higher education funding and support.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides free tuition for dependents of qualifying veterans, expanding educational benefits through direct funding for veterans' families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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

A 381: Establishes program within veterans' memorial homes to provide support to families of residents.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to create a program within state veterans' memorial homes that provides direct support to family members of residents. The program, administered by each home's resident advocate, offers two key services: (1) timely information on health updates, benefits, financial aid, and community resources upon request, and (2) counseling services including in-home support and referrals to external providers. It specifically defines "family members" as spouses, domestic partners, civil union partners, or children (biological, adopted, or half-blood) of residents who are New Jersey residents. The program must be implemented within 90 days of enactment, placing support services directly at the veterans' homes to improve accessibility.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates creation of family support program within veterans' homes, providing health/benefit info and counseling services, directly advancing veteran family support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Military Families Veteran Housing

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

A 2365: Permits spouses and dependents of military service members to qualify for in-State tuition in event that service member is transferred to another state.

New Jersey bill A2365 extends in-state tuition eligibility to spouses and dependents of military service members who move due to a service member's transfer. It allows these individuals to maintain in-state tuition rates at public colleges in New Jersey if they were already enrolled before the transfer and maintain continuous enrollment. The bill specifically applies to spouses and dependents who were attending school in New Jersey prior to the military relocation, ensuring they don't lose tuition benefits during temporary moves. This change directly affects military families facing frequent relocations, removing a barrier to educational affordability during service-related transfers. The policy update amends existing law (P.L.1985, c.231) to include these scenarios without requiring new funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends in-state tuition access to military dependents, reducing financial barriers for higher education enrollment per bill A2365.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransThe bill extends in-state tuition to military families during relocations, directly supporting educational access for dependents of service members - a key component of veteran and military family benefit policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Military Families Veteran Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3527: Creates New Jersey Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act.

This bill creates New Jersey's Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act to protect active-duty military members, National Guard personnel, reservists called to duty, and their dependents. It allows courts to pause civil proceedings (like debt collection or evictions) during military service and prevents creditors from denying or changing credit terms solely because someone is serving. Dependents may also seek relief if military service harms their ability to meet lease or contract obligations. The law ensures New Jersey's protections meet or exceed federal standards for military members' civil and property rights.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents evictions and protects lease obligations for military tenants during service, directly strengthening tenant protections under housing policy.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProtects active-duty military and dependents from civil proceedings during service, preventing financial harm and supporting stability during military duty.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families National Guard & Reserve

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