Veterans in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4341: Allows for issuance of two-year temporary courtesy license for nonresident military spouses in certain professions.

This bill allows New Jersey professional licensing boards to issue two-year temporary courtesy licenses to nonresident military spouses who are active-duty spouses transferred to the state. To qualify, applicants must hold a current license in another jurisdiction, have practiced their profession for at least two of the last five years, and pass a criminal background check along with any required fees or exams. Once issued, these licenses grant the same rights and obligations as standard resident licenses, but they can be automatically revoked if the spouse's license is suspended or revoked in their home state due to criminal offenses or misconduct. The legislation primarily affects military families moving to New Jersey and the state's various professional licensing boards.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Military Families Tags Licensing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4989: Makes supplemental appropriation of $1 million to DVA for suicide prevention training for personnel at State-run veterans' facilities.

This bill allocates $1 million from the state's General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs for suicide prevention training. The money will be used specifically to train staff at state-run Veterans' Haven facilities, which provide transitional housing for veterans. By funding this training, the legislation aims to equip facility personnel with the skills needed to better support residents and address suicide risks. The funding is designated under the annual appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Mental Health Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

AR 135: Urges Congress to pass "Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025."

This New Jersey Assembly resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass the "Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025," which would address healthcare needs for women veterans experiencing menopause symptoms. The proposed federal law would require the Government Accountability Office to study current Veterans Affairs medical services for this demographic and mandate improvements to access and quality of care. The bill specifically targets the approximately 630,000 women veterans aged 40 to 54 who may face compounded health challenges due to military service and hormonal changes. As a formal request rather than binding legislation, the resolution directs copies to federal leaders and the VA Secretary to advocate for these policy changes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4394: Establishes Veteran's Treatment Court Program.

This bill establishes a new Veterans Treatment Court Program in New Jersey to provide specialized judicial supervision and clinical care for veterans with serious charges who do not qualify for existing diversion programs. The program is designed to address crimes linked to untreated trauma, such as PTSD or substance use disorders, by creating a second track that operates alongside the current prosecutor-led diversion system. Eligible participants will be assigned to a specialized court docket in three regions, where they must complete structured treatment plans involving mental health professionals and an interdisciplinary team. While the bill expands access to support for justice-involved veterans, it explicitly excludes individuals charged with severe violent crimes like murder or aggravated sexual assault from participation.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 5006: Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.

This bill expands eligibility for certain veterans' benefits in New Jersey by removing specific requirements for service during particular dates or in designated locations. It directly affects military personnel who served in conflicts such as World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, the Lebanon crisis, and the Vietnam conflict but may not have met previous strict service duration or location criteria. The key provision redefines who qualifies as a "veteran" under state law, allowing individuals with at least 90 days of active service or those injured during service to access benefits regardless of whether their service occurred within the originally specified timeframes or areas. This change aims to ensure that more service members receive compensation for disabilities incurred during their military duty.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

AR 136: Expresses support for federal "Building Resources and Access for Veteran's Mental Health Engagement Act of 2025."

This New Jersey Assembly Resolution expresses support for a federal bill called the BRAVE Act of 2025, which aims to improve mental health services for veterans. The resolution highlights that military service can lead to mental health challenges and notes that about 31 percent of veterans receiving VA care in 2023 had a confirmed mental health diagnosis. By passing this resolution, the state legislature is formally encouraging Congress to enact the federal legislation, which would address VA mental health care, support women veterans, and extend a suicide prevention grant program to community organizations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4886: Designates Browning Road Bridge in Bellmawr as "Marine Corps Captain James R. Reese Memorial Bridge."

This bill designates the Browning Road Bridge in Bellmawr as the "Marine Corps Captain James R. Reese Memorial Bridge" to honor a local Marine who died in a helicopter crash in 1985. The legislation requires the state to rename the bridge but explicitly prohibits the use of public funds to pay for the signs displaying the new name. Instead, the bill authorizes the Department of Transportation to accept financial contributions from private sources to cover the costs of installing and maintaining the memorial signage.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4264: Increases days of paid leave of absence for public employees who serve in a Reserve component of the United States Armed Forces.*

This bill increases the amount of paid leave available to public employees in New Jersey who serve in the United States Reserves or National Guard. Under the new provisions, these employees would receive up to 90 work days of paid leave for federal active duty, an increase from the current limit of 30 days. Any time served beyond the 90-day cap would remain unpaid but would not count against the employee's accrued time off. The change applies to full-time or permanent officers and employees across state, county, and municipal agencies.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Paid Leave National Guard & Reserve

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4124: Waives certain commercial driver license fees for veterans and spouses of veterans.

This bill waives transfer fees for commercial driver licenses for veterans and their spouses moving to New Jersey. It applies to individuals who received an honorable discharge from the U.S. military or National Guard, allowing them to transfer their existing licenses without paying the standard charge. The legislation defines a veteran specifically as someone with an honorable discharge from active or reserve forces or the state National Guard. This change aims to reduce financial barriers for military families relocating to the state.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4370: Makes supplemental appropriation of $1 million to DVA for suicide prevention training for personnel at State-run veterans' facilities.

This New Jersey bill allocates an additional $1 million from the state's General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The money is designated specifically for suicide prevention training for staff working at state-run Veterans' Haven facilities. By funding this training, the legislation aims to equip personnel with the skills needed to support residents who may be at higher risk for suicide. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Veteran Mental Health

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