New Jersey's S 1583 requires free cancer screenings every three years for volunteer firefighters through the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) network. The screenings cover 11 specific cancers (including colon, lung, prostate, and breast) with no out-of-pocket costs for firefighters. Physicians providing these screenings can be reimbursed up to $1,250 per three-year period by the state, and fire districts must maintain records to facilitate payment. This extends an existing benefit for paid firefighters to volunteer firefighters, who previously did not have guaranteed access to such screenings.
S 1622 creates a tax credit program for New Jersey employers who hire military spouses who are nonresidents of the state but live in New Jersey due to their spouse's military service (such as being transferred here, legally domiciled here, or moving on a permanent change-of-station). Employers receive a credit equal to 15% of wages for military spouses working 120-400 hours per year or 25% for 400+ hours, capped at $2,400 per employee annually. The credit reduces corporation business tax or gross income tax and requires employers to apply through the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. The bill directly supports military spouses facing employment disruptions from frequent military relocations.
S 74 (New Jersey Senate Bill) allows members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) who developed disabilities from participating in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations to qualify for accidental disability retirement. It specifically applies to PERS members who worked at the World Trade Center site for at least eight hours between September 11-12, 2001, or who sustained a documented injury preventing further participation. The bill creates a legal presumption that such disabilities were work-related, shifting the burden of proof from the member to the employer if disputed. This eliminates the need to prove the disability resulted from "willful negligence" for qualifying cases. The policy directly affects New Jersey public safety and emergency workers who responded to the 9/11 site.
This bill increases pension benefits for New Jersey police and firefighters (members of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System) who suffer accidental disability or death caused by a weapon while on duty. Specifically, it raises the accidental disability pension from 66% to 100% of the member’s annual compensation at the time of injury, and adjusts the death benefit calculation for weapon-related deaths. The change applies only when the injury or death results directly from a weapon (as defined in state law), not other types of accidents. This amendment modifies existing pension formulas without changing eligibility requirements.
This bill (S 208) requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Community Affairs (with input from Corrections) to create specific standards for publicly-funded transitional housing programs helping formerly incarcerated people reenter communities. The standards mandate safety measures, emergency and long-term housing options, and comprehensive support services - including substance abuse treatment, job training, medical care, and assistance securing permanent housing. It directly affects returning residents in transitional housing programs by setting minimum quality requirements for their care and housing. The bill, introduced in January 2026 and referred to committee, would establish these rules immediately upon enactment.
This bill requires New Jersey state agencies to notify employees who are likely to lose their jobs due to privatization at least 180 days before releasing requests for proposals or contracts for services or assets valued at $100,000 or more annually. The notice must detail the affected service or asset, include relevant documents, and inform employees they can submit a two-year business plan to take over the service themselves. Agencies must review these employee plans within 60 days, allowing up to 30 days for revisions if rejected. The law directly affects state employees at risk of termination from privatized services and creates a structured process for employee-led operational transitions.
This bill requires New Jersey municipalities with career fire departments to deploy personnel for fire suppression and rescue operations in line with NFPA 1710 (2020 edition), a nationally recognized safety standard. It mandates the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create implementing rules and directs municipal governing bodies or fire commissioners to ensure compliance. The policy directly affects paid or part-paid fire departments that respond to at least 50% of initial full-alarm assignments. It aims to standardize safety practices for career firefighters, preventing local relaxation of requirements due to budget or political considerations. The law takes immediate effect upon passage.
This bill allows small New Jersey businesses with fewer than 20 employees to claim tax credits when they pay for their workers' health insurance premiums. Employers get up to $250 per employee for single coverage or $500 for family coverage if they pay 100% of the premium, with proportional credits for partial payments (50-99%). The health plan must meet federal Affordable Care Act standards for essential benefits. Credits cannot exceed the actual premiums paid and expire after the tax year - no carryover to future years. It applies to both corporate business tax and gross income tax credits.
This bill creates a tax incentive program for New Jersey manufacturers. It allows qualifying manufacturers (those with 50 or fewer employees in good tax standing) to deduct up to $100,000 annually from their taxable income for deposits into a special "manufacturing reinvestment account." Funds in the account earn tax benefits: if used for machinery/equipment or workforce training at their New Jersey facility, the earnings are taxed at half the standard rate. The program applies for five consecutive years, with unused funds taxed at full rate after that.
This bill requires all scrap metal businesses in New Jersey to conduct quarterly audits of their records to ensure prohibited items are not present on-site. It also mandates that businesses reduce fire risks by either employing fire suppression-trained staff or contracting with such personnel, and installing/maintaining remotely operable on-site fire suppression systems. Businesses have five years (until the first day of the 60th month after enactment) to install the required fire suppression systems. The bill directly affects scrap metal businesses operating in New Jersey and updates existing safety regulations under current law.
