Technology

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health (DOH) to provide SNAP, WFNJ, and WIC recipients with clear information about card skimming, cloning, and fraud prevention. It mandates that DHS and DOH distribute written materials at enrollment/recertification points, post digital/paper resources online and at offices, and establish processes to replace benefits stolen through these fraud methods using federal or state funds. The bill also directs both departments to coordinate with card vendors to implement security measures like chip technology and transaction alerts. Recipients must report fraud to DHS/DOH or law enforcement, with annual reports tracking fraud incidents and benefit replacements.

S 1106 establishes a state-funded STEM grant program targeting at-risk students (defined as those from households earning at or below 1.85x the federal poverty level) in grades 6-8 across selected school districts. The bill requires participating districts to provide hands-on STEM projects, offer an accelerated learning option for students behind grade level (allowing two years of coursework in one year), and include staff training and classroom resources. It appropriates $2.25 million from the General Fund to the Department of Education, which will partner with the nonprofit Engaged Learning Strategies to administer the program. Districts must already have existing STEM programs meeting specific criteria and must serve at least 60 at-risk students per district. The program aims to expand project-based STEM learning in qualifying schools through direct funding and structured curriculum support.

This bill prohibits New Jersey law enforcement and automated license plate reader (ALPR) operators from sharing ALPR data with other states for investigations targeting people seeking or providing reproductive health care services that are legal in New Jersey (including pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion). It requires out-of-state law enforcement agencies to provide written assurance they won’t use the data for such investigations before NJ agencies share information. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $1,000 for a first offense and $5,000 for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects NJ law enforcement agencies, ALPR operators, and out-of-state agencies seeking to investigate legal reproductive health services.