Housing

This bill requires the New Jersey State to cover transportation costs for certain homeless students that exceed a district's average per-pupil transportation expense. It directly affects homeless students temporarily living in a district different from their school district of residence (e.g., due to shelter or displacement) and those displaced by terrorism or natural disasters. The key provision mandates the State pay for transportation costs above the district's standard average, rather than the district covering all excess costs. This applies when students attend school in their district of residence while temporarily residing elsewhere, or when students displaced by disasters remain in their original district for up to two years. The policy change clarifies state responsibility for a portion of transportation expenses, reducing financial burden on local school districts.

This bill amends New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2026 budget to redirect $500,000 originally designated for the City of Camden's Capital Projects fund to Parkside Business & Community in Partnership, a local nonprofit. The reassignment shifts funds from city capital projects to support the nonprofit's work revitalizing Camden's Parkside neighborhood through commercial development, housing, and community initiatives. This is a procedural budget adjustment that changes fund allocation without creating new policies or altering overall spending levels. The bill specifically updates the appropriations act's line items to reflect this reallocation.

This bill (S 413) extends the protected tenancy period for qualifying senior citizens (62+ years) and disabled tenants in New Jersey when their rental buildings convert to condos or cooperatives. It changes the previous 40-year protection to a full lifetime of the tenant, preventing forced evictions due to building conversions. Tenants must have lived in the unit for at least one year before conversion and meet income or disability criteria (e.g., medically determined disability or 60% veterans' disability rating). The law applies specifically to buildings converting from rental use, ensuring these tenants can remain in their homes without rent hikes tied to the conversion.

New Jersey's S 1631 adds height and weight to the list of protected characteristics under the state's Law Against Discrimination. It makes it illegal for employers, public accommodations (like restaurants and stores), and housing providers to discriminate based on these factors. The bill amends existing law to include "height or weight" alongside categories like race, disability, and gender identity in all relevant sections. Enforcement will continue through the Division on Civil Rights, which handles complaints about discrimination.