New Jersey Bills

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

SCR 133: Urges United States Congress and President to provide federal infrastructure funds for extension of Route 55.

This New Jersey Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the U.S. Congress and President to approve federal infrastructure funding for extending Route 55 to the Garden State Parkway. The bill directly affects motorists, tourists, and residents in Gloucester, Cumberland, and Cape May counties who currently face severe traffic congestion and safety issues on this primary coastal route. While the resolution does not authorize construction itself, it formally requests federal support to complete a highway extension that was halted in 1975 due to rising costs and environmental obstacles. The measure aims to improve highway performance in the state and support the tourism industry that generates billions in economic activity annually.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4156: Imposes certain duties on persons or entities engaged in business pertaining to criminal records and imposes penalties for disseminating expunged record; increases maximum fine for current disorderly persons offense.

This bill strengthens protections for individuals whose criminal records have been expunged by increasing the maximum fine for knowingly revealing such records from $200 to $2,000. It also imposes new duties on businesses that collect or sell criminal records, requiring them to regularly update their data, immediately delete expunged entries, and inform clients that their records are only valid as of the collection date. Additionally, the legislation establishes a penalty of up to $5,000 or actual damages for these businesses if they knowingly distribute expunged records, including legal costs and attorney fees. These changes directly affect employers, background check services, and other entities that handle criminal history data in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4137: Establishes "Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program" and occupational heat stress standard in DOLWD.

This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to create a new program and standard aimed at preventing heat-related illnesses and injuries in the workplace. It requires employers to develop and maintain a prevention plan and mandates specific actions when environmental heat levels exceed safe limits for workers. The regulations will apply to all employees, including those in agriculture, construction, and indoor settings without climate control, with rules to be finalized by June 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4195: Establishes Cardiac Emergency Response in Schools Grant Program in DOE, appropriates $600,000.

This bill creates a new grant program within the New Jersey Department of Education to help schools prepare for cardiac emergencies. It allocates $600,000 in funding to be distributed to public, charter, and private schools for purchasing defibrillators, training staff in CPR, and developing emergency response plans. Schools must submit applications detailing their current safety measures and funding needs, with the Department of Education prioritizing grants for those demonstrating the greatest need. The program also requires recipients to report how they use the funds and mandates that the Department provide an annual status report to the Governor and Legislature.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4143: Requires State to permit foundation of association health plan and other multiple employer welfare arrangements; provides tax credit to members of plan.

This bill allows chambers of commerce, trade associations, and nonprofit business coalitions in New Jersey to create their own group health insurance plans for their member businesses. To encourage participation, the legislation provides a state tax credit of up to $1,000 per employee annually for businesses enrolled in these new plans, with a maximum annual limit of $20,000 per taxpayer. Additionally, the bill requires the state to launch a public awareness campaign funded by at least $500,000 to inform businesses about these coverage options and offers grants to help organizations cover the administrative costs of managing the plans.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4144: Allows municipalities to adopt certain zoning ordinances pertaining to outdoor firing ranges.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to create specific zoning rules for outdoor firing ranges. It requires local governments to establish safety guidelines that include posting signs, limiting ammunition types, and ensuring proper safety berms are in place. Additionally, the bill mandates that residents within the municipality and those living within one mile of a range must be notified of public hearings regarding these new rules.

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

A 5031: Requires pay for extracurricular activities to be included in compensation for TPAF purposes.

This New Jersey bill requires that pay for extracurricular activities be counted as compensation when calculating contributions to the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund. It directly affects teachers who earn additional money for duties outside the regular school day or year, such as coaching sports, leading clubs, or participating in performances. By including this extra pay in the definition of compensation, the bill ensures these earnings are used to determine pension benefits and retirement contributions. The change applies to teachers joining the retirement system on or after July 1, 2007, and does not include salary adjustments made primarily in anticipation of retirement.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

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 ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

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

A 5041: Requires all students enrolled in grades six through 12 to have certain physical examination that includes cardiac component.

This bill mandates that all students in grades six through twelve in New Jersey public and nonpublic schools undergo a specific physical examination that includes a cardiac component. To ensure this requirement is met, the physical must be performed by a licensed healthcare professional who has completed specialized training to recognize signs of heart disease and abnormalities. Schools are required to keep a signed form from the provider confirming that this specific training was completed before the student can participate in school activities. The law takes effect immediately and applies to the 2023-2024 school year, expanding upon existing rules that already require similar exams for student athletes.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

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

A 5039: Requires combined groups to be determined on world-wide basis under corporation business tax.

This bill requires corporations in New Jersey that file combined tax returns to calculate their total income on a worldwide basis rather than limiting calculations to income generated within the state. The law mandates that companies include the full net income of all their foreign branches and subsidiaries, adjusting these figures to align with U.S. accounting standards and converting them into U.S. dollars. It also updates how partnership income is counted within these groups and clarifies rules for foreign corporations with existing tax treaties to ensure consistent reporting across all entities in the group.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

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

A 5044: Establishes Cardiac Emergency Response in Schools Grant Program in DOE, appropriates $600,000.

This bill creates a new grant program within the New Jersey Department of Education to help schools prepare for cardiac emergencies. It allocates $600,000 to fund eligible school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools for purchasing automatic external defibrillators, CPR training kits, emergency response plans, and staff training. Schools must submit applications detailing their current policies and needs, with the Commissioner of Education deciding on funding amounts and prioritizing those with the greatest need. The program includes requirements for grant recipients to report how funds are used and for the Commissioner to submit annual reports to state officials.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4126: Requires certain persons to register and report as governmental affairs agents.

This bill establishes new registration and reporting rules for individuals and organizations in New Jersey who act as governmental affairs agents. It defines a governmental affairs agent as anyone who receives compensation to influence legislation or regulations by communicating directly with lawmakers, the Governor, or executive branch staff. The law requires these agents to register if they are paid more than $100 in expenses over three months or receive compensation from a non-employer source to influence government processes. Additionally, the bill clarifies that reproducing or excerpting communications intended for government officials and distributing them to those officials counts as a direct communication with the state.

Bill results