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.
This bill allows licensed hospitals and healthcare entities in New Jersey to transfer certain state funds to the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services. The goal is to maximize federal Medicaid payments specifically for faculty physicians and non-physician professionals working at public medical/dental schools. It authorizes these transfers under existing federal Medicaid guidelines (MAPS program), requiring approval from the state budget director. This change directly affects public medical school-affiliated providers who serve Medicaid patients.
This bill redirects $5 million in state funds from a children's health program to provide immediate funding for the Burlington County Animal Shelter. It amends the FY 2024 state budget by shifting money originally allocated to "Nemours Children’s Health" (under the Department of Health) to a new line item for the shelter (under the Department of Community Affairs). The change provides dedicated funding for the shelter’s operations without requiring new tax revenue or creating new programs. This is a budget reallocation, not a new legislative policy.
This bill (A 724) creates a toll relief program for New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) users. It provides a 50% credit on tolls paid via E-ZPass for accounts with 35+ qualifying transactions (regular toll payments, not fines or fees) on the Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, or Atlantic City Expressway in a single month. The bill appropriates $250 million from the General Fund to each authority to fund these credits, requires credits to be posted within one month, and mandates quarterly reports to the Governor and Legislature. The program expires one year after enactment.
