Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 642: Increases from $750 to $3,000 annual State payment made to certain veterans and their surviving spouses.

New Jersey's Bill A 642 increases annual state payments to veterans with specific service-connected disabilities from $750 to $3,000 per year. It directly affects veterans who sustained total blindness, permanent paralysis (like paraplegia or hemiplegia), amputations, or mobility loss from multiple sclerosis during military service, as well as their surviving spouses. The payment increase takes effect January 1 following the bill's passage, with accrued payments paid in a lump sum. Currently, 207 veterans and spouses receive this benefit under the existing $750 rate.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

AR 111: Urges public high schools in New Jersey to create "Pathways to Purpose Week".

This resolution (AR 111) urges New Jersey public high schools to establish "Pathways to Purpose Week" during the week of May 1. It directly affects high school students and administrators by encouraging schools to recognize and celebrate multiple post-graduation options - including college enrollment, apprenticeships, and military service - alongside traditional "College Decision Day" celebrations. The key provision requires schools to honor all pathways equally, addressing that nearly 30% of seniors do not pursue immediate college enrollment and apprenticeship participation has declined since 2016. The resolution is non-binding, recommending schools adopt this observance to highlight diverse success routes after high school.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 384: Requires DMVA establish veterans memorial home emergency hotline.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to establish an emergency hotline specifically for veterans living in state-operated veterans memorial homes (including Menlo Park, Vineland, and Paramus locations). It amends existing law (N.J.S.38A:3-6) to mandate this hotline as a direct service for veterans residing in these facilities. The key mechanism is the DMVA's obligation to create and maintain this dedicated emergency contact line. The bill directly affects veterans living in New Jersey's veterans memorial homes by providing immediate access to emergency support. It is a procedural measure focused on improving emergency response capabilities for this specific population.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3016: Concerns standards for fair share affordable housing credit for housing reserved for veterans; requires veteran preference in certain affordable housing application administration.

This bill (A 3016) allows New Jersey municipalities to reserve affordable housing units specifically for low- and moderate-income veterans, counting each such unit as a full credit toward the municipality's required affordable housing obligation. It defines "veteran" broadly (including those discharged with military pay) and specifies that units in facilities like Veterans Haven or transitional housing for homeless veterans qualify. The bill amends existing law to ensure these veteran-reserved units receive full credit, similar to other affordable housing units, without requiring additional municipal funding. It directly affects municipalities responsible for meeting housing obligations and veterans seeking affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 3475: Permits DVA to receive voluntary contributions for veteran suicide prevention public service announcements.

This bill allows New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to accept voluntary gifts, grants, or donations from the public and private sectors specifically for creating veteran suicide prevention public service announcements. Funds received must be deposited into a special nonlapsing fund managed by the State Treasurer and can only be used to produce these announcements. The bill directly affects the DVA, enabling it to expand its suicide prevention outreach efforts through external funding. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4392: Establishes Civil Air Patrol Fund to be supported by annual appropriations of $100,000; appropriates $100,000.

This bill creates a dedicated "Civil Air Patrol Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. It requires the state to appropriate $100,000 annually from the General Fund to the fund, which can also receive federal grants and public donations. The money must support the New Jersey Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, specifically for programs like cadet STEM/aviation training, search and rescue readiness, disaster relief equipment (including a Redbird Simulator), and volunteer training. Unspent funds carry forward each year, making it a permanent funding source for these state-level Civil Air Patrol activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4455: Permits DVA to receive voluntary contributions for veteran suicide prevention public service announcements.

This bill allows New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to accept voluntary donations, grants, or gifts from the public or private sectors specifically for creating veteran suicide prevention public service announcements (PSAs). Funds received under this bill must be deposited into a special nonlapsing fund managed by the State Treasurer. These funds can only be used to produce and distribute PSAs aimed at preventing veteran suicide, with no other purposes permitted. The bill directly affects the DVA's ability to secure external funding for this targeted prevention effort, benefiting veterans through expanded public awareness campaigns.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 738: Extends Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act to caregivers of certain veterans.

This bill (A 738) expands New Jersey's Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act to provide a tax credit for family caregivers of veterans with service-connected disabilities, regardless of when the disability occurred. It directly affects New Jersey residents who are relatives (up to third degree by blood) caring for a veteran who was honorably discharged and resides with them in New Jersey for at least six months of the year. The credit equals 100% of the veteran's federal disability compensation, capped at $675 per year, and applies to caregivers earning under $100,000 (jointly) or $50,000 (single). The bill revises the definition of "veteran" to include all honorably discharged veterans, not just those with disabilities from post-9/11 service. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and refers to the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3233: Indexes amount of veterans' income tax exemption for inflation.

This bill (A-3233) adjusts the New Jersey veterans' income tax exemption amount annually for inflation. It directly affects veterans honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or New Jersey Reserve. The exemption amount, currently $6,000, will be updated each year based on the Chained Consumer Price Index (C-CPI-U) for the 12-month period ending August 31 of the prior year. If inflation is zero, the exemption amount remains unchanged. The change applies to tax years starting in 2023 and beyond.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 579: Increases personal needs allowance to $50 for recipients of Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income who are veterans or spouses of veterans and provides for annual cost-of-living increase in allowance.

This bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance from $35 to $50 for New Jersey Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who are veterans or spouses of veterans. It also requires annual cost-of-living adjustments to this $50 amount, tied to the same percentage as Social Security’s annual adjustment. The allowance is intended to cover personal items like clothing, grooming supplies, and newspapers that facilities do not provide. This directly affects veterans and their spouses receiving these benefits, particularly those living in nursing homes, developmental centers, or psychiatric hospitals. The change will take effect after federal approval of related Medicaid plan amendments.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Veteran Benefits

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