This bill establishes a New Jersey State Government and Civil Service Student Internship Program within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. It targets undergraduate and graduate students (excluding law and doctoral programs) from accredited colleges, prioritizing New Jersey residents or students attending NJ institutions. Participants must complete 480 hours of work (240 hours per semester) with state agencies, working 20-40 hours weekly depending on class schedules, and receive a $2,500 stipend per 240 hours. Successful completers gain preference for entry-level civil service jobs within two years of graduation, with disabled veterans receiving highest priority. The program is funded by a $750,000 appropriation from the State General Fund.
This bill allocates an additional $500,000 from the General Fund to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce (NJSVCC). The funds must be used to support the NJSVCC's programs focused on veteran economic development, outreach, and skills training. The NJSVCC is a nonprofit organization that assists veteran-owned businesses, military spouses, and veterans through advocacy, networking, and job creation initiatives. This supplemental appropriation continues the state's annual funding for the NJSVCC, which previously received $500,000 in FY 2023. The bill directly supports veterans and veteran-owned businesses by enhancing their access to economic opportunities and workforce development resources.
This bill requires New Jersey to provide cost-of-living increases to retirees and beneficiaries in specific public pension systems (Teachers', Judicial, Public Employees', Police/Fire, and State Police Retirement Systems) whose monthly payments are at or below 150% of the federal poverty level for a single person. The increases, calculated as 100% of the Consumer Price Index change (instead of the previous 60%), apply only on January 1, 2023, and January 1, 2024. The state will fund these adjustments through the General Fund, with annual certification of costs by pension authorities. Beneficiaries may voluntarily waive the increase or later reinstate it with 30 days' notice.
This bill (S 3290) establishes a one-year pilot program in New Jersey public schools (grades 6-12) to study whether lockable cell phone pouches improve student academic performance and mental health. School districts must apply with details about their schools, student enrollment, and implementation plans, and six districts will be selected (two per regional area) to participate. The program allocates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Education for implementation, training, and a post-pilot report due within 120 days evaluating the program’s effectiveness. The bill directly affects participating school districts and aims to inform future policy decisions, not mandate phone pouch use.
This bill (A 3048) creates a state-funded grant program to help municipalities provide free transportation services for senior citizens (55+ years old) in New Jersey. Municipalities can apply for grants of up to $25,000 to establish or expand programs covering medical appointments, shopping, recreation, and other essential trips, without requiring seniors to pay costs. The Department of Human Services will manage applications, determine award amounts based on need and available funds, and report to the legislature on program usage within 30 days of the six-month application period. The $2.5 million appropriation expires 180 days after the reporting deadline, with unspent funds reverting to the state general fund.
This bill creates the "Pathway to Nursing Scholarship Program" to address New Jersey's nursing shortage by helping healthcare workers transition into nursing careers. It requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to develop a program offering 100 scholarships of $10,000 each to eligible healthcare workers enrolled in approved nursing programs. To qualify, applicants must be New Jersey residents, currently or previously working in healthcare, enrolled in an approved nursing program, and commit to working as a nurse after graduation. The program is funded by a $1 million appropriation from the General Fund to support this targeted workforce development initiative.
This bill establishes New Jersey's Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides up to $30 monthly discounts on broadband bills for low-income households (earning 50% or less of local median income) and very low-income households (earning 30% or less). Households must apply annually to the Department of Human Services, demonstrating income eligibility and state residency. The program is funded by a $10 million appropriation from the General Fund, with broadband providers receiving subsidies to cover the discount costs. It aims to increase affordable internet access for qualifying households across New Jersey.
This bill (A2904) prevents New Jersey school districts with unpaid balances on state-issued loans from facing automatic reductions in State school aid. It directly affects districts that borrowed funds - such as advance State aid payments or emergency aid - under current law. Instead of reducing future aid to repay these loans, the bill requires districts to use their surplus funds (undesignated general fund balances) to repay the debt, as reflected in their annual school budgets. This changes the repayment mechanism from aid cuts to direct budgetary repayment, applying to districts otherwise subject to aid reductions under existing funding rules.
This bill creates the NJ FamilyCare Stabilization Fund, a special fund in the State Treasury to protect New Jersey's Medicaid program (NJ FamilyCare) for low-income residents. It requires annual transfers of 5% of the state's unreserved General Fund balance (e.g., $335 million for FY2026) into the fund. The fund can only be used to maintain existing NJ FamilyCare services if federal reimbursements drop by 15% or more year-over-year, with disbursements capped at 60% of the fund balance as of July 1 each year. The bill also mandates annual reports from the State Treasurer and Department of Human Services to the Legislature detailing fund status and usage.
This bill creates the Office of Community Schools within New Jersey's Department of Education to support public schools, charter schools, and renaissance schools in implementing community-based educational models. The office will provide training, grants, and technical assistance to schools adopting these models, which integrate educational, health, and family services to address student needs. It allocates $10 million total ($2 million from the state budget and $8 million from federal funds) to establish the office and fund its activities. The office must publish a statewide list of participating schools and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature.
