New Jersey Bills

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

A 5247: Makes various changes to civil service law concerning seasonal appointments, temporary layoffs, and rescinding adoption of civil service.

This bill amends New Jersey's civil service laws to clarify rules for seasonal appointments, temporary layoffs, and the adoption of civil service systems. It allows for seasonal positions to be established for up to nine months in a year if approved by the state commission, while also defining specific procedures for temporary layoffs due to economic or efficiency reasons. Under the new provisions, agencies must submit layoff plans at least 15 days in advance, ensure critical public safety roles remain staffed, and treat layoff time as active service for purposes like seniority and leave accrual. The legislation directly affects state and local government employees by standardizing how temporary staffing needs are managed and protecting certain employee benefits during short-term reductions in force.

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

A 5245: Prohibits remote work for employees of State and of political subdivisions operating under "Civil Service Act."

This bill prohibits remote work for employees of the State of New Jersey and local political subdivisions that operate under the Civil Service Act. The legislation amends existing statutes to explicitly ban telework for career, senior executive, and unclassified state employees and forbids the Civil Service Commission from creating rules that allow remote work. Additionally, the law extends this prohibition to civil service employees in covered local governments, ensuring they must work on-site rather than from home.

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4442: "Fairness for Coastal School Districts in Development Restricted Areas Act"; provides State aid to certain school districts located in municipalities subject to CAFRA.

This bill, titled the "Fairness for Coastal School Districts in Development Restricted Areas Act," provides additional state funding to specific school districts located in municipalities restricted by the Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA). To qualify, a school district must have experienced a net loss in state aid since 2017-2018, have more than 500 students, and be situated entirely within a municipality where at least 20 percent of the land is coastal. The funding amount is calculated by multiplying $275 by the number of coastal acres in the municipality, with a maximum cap of $2.5 million for districts under 1,000 students and $5 million for larger districts. This financial support is intended to supplement existing state aid and address fiscal challenges faced by districts in areas with limited development potential.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

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

A 5244: Requires driver education and testing on responsibilities when approaching and passing slow moving vehicles.

This New Jersey bill requires driver education courses to include specific training on how drivers should approach and pass slow-moving vehicles. It mandates that approved classroom instruction cover these responsibilities and ensures parents of new drivers under 18 receive a brochure with similar safety information. The law affects driving instructors by updating curriculum guidelines and impacts permit holders by providing them with educational materials on sharing the road safely.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4440: "Clean Firm Energy Reliability Act;" directs BPU to establish program to procure certain electricity generation facilities in State.

This bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to create a program that procures new clean, firm electricity generation facilities within the state. The legislation specifically targets advanced nuclear reactors and other zero-emission resources that can operate continuously to meet rising energy demand. It requires the board to issue a request for interest from developers within 180 days and mandates that applicants submit letters of intent to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission within 60 days of that announcement. By defining these resources as dispatchable and fuel-secure, the act aims to ensure reliable power supply while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

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

A 5243: Requires DOT to develop universal application for grant programs.

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation to create a single, universal application form for all its grant programs. The department must develop this form within three months, publish it on its website, and mandate that all future grant requests be submitted through this new system. Before the form goes live, the department must notify the public and provide at least 30 days of education on the new process. The law directly affects counties, municipalities, and other entities that currently apply for state transportation funding.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4416: Expands role of New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute and transfers $3 million from DCF to DHS for establishment of dashboard and associated implementation.

This bill expands the role of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute to oversee the implementation of a new children's mental health data dashboard and related improvements. It transfers $3 million from the Department of Children and Families to the Department of Human Services to fund this initiative, which involves creating a visual map of how families access care and analyzing eligibility rules and barriers. The Institute will coordinate with various state agencies to study current services, identify disparities based on factors like race and payer type, and develop policy recommendations to improve the system. Additionally, the Institute will serve as the central entity for implementing the findings from this study to make pediatric mental health care more efficient and accessible across the state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4412: Provides for youth mental health care professionals in family court.

This New Jersey bill establishes a new role for youth mental health care professionals within the state's Family Court system to support minors involved in legal proceedings. These professionals, who must be licensed social workers, psychologists, or psychiatrists with specific trauma and youth development experience, will assist judges by identifying mental health needs, recommending interventions, and connecting families with appropriate services. The legislation grants these employees access to sensitive records held by courts and child protection agencies while providing them with legal immunity for actions taken in good faith. Additionally, the bill amends existing privacy laws to ensure that the confidential information these professionals review remains protected from public disclosure.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4419: "Everyone Counts in New Jersey Act"; establishes "New Jersey Census Complete Count Commission," "New Jersey Office of Census," and "New Jersey Census Complete Count Trust Fund." *

The "Everyone Counts in New Jersey Act" creates a new state framework to ensure all residents are included in the federal decennial census. It establishes a temporary commission within the Department of State to develop outreach strategies, a permanent Office of the Census to coordinate state-wide efforts and publish data, and a trust fund with an annual $1 million appropriation to finance local and community counting initiatives. These new entities will work together to promote government-wide cooperation and provide resources aimed at increasing participation in future population counts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4444: Requires certain consumer disclosures relating to rabies testing and establishes optional training for veterinarians.

This bill requires veterinarians and health officials to provide pet owners with clear written and verbal information about rabies testing procedures, including reasons for testing, handling protocols, and disposal methods. Under the new rules, owners must sign an acknowledgment form before a dead pet can be tested, unless the owner cannot be contacted or refuses to sign. The law also prohibits veterinarians from using vague language or euphemisms when explaining these processes and mandates that the Department of Health create educational materials for the public. Additionally, the bill establishes optional training for veterinarians to better inform pet owners about rabies vaccines and testing protocols.

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4415: Strengthens oversight and enforcement of network adequacy requirements for health insurance carriers; requires health insurance carriers to make network directory available.*

This bill requires health insurance carriers in New Jersey to maintain an up-to-date directory of mental health providers and make it available online and over the phone. It mandates that insurers must approve coverage exceptions for medically necessary services when no qualified providers exist within their network. Additionally, the law obligates carriers to submit annual reports to the Department of Banking and Insurance detailing their processes for setting medical necessity criteria and how they apply limits to mental health and substance use disorder benefits. These measures aim to improve oversight of network adequacy and ensure that mental health coverage is comparable to physical health coverage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 11, 2026

ACR 144: Recognizes centennial of Shrewsbury Borough.

This bill is a concurrent resolution that formally recognizes the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Shrewsbury Borough in Monmouth County. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves as an official state acknowledgment of the borough's history, noting its establishment in 1926 and its status as one of the county's earliest settlements. The resolution directs that copies be sent to the mayor and municipal clerk of Shrewsbury to commemorate the occasion.

Bill results