This bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority to offer a 50 percent toll discount to eligible veterans using electronic toll collection systems. To qualify, a veteran must own or lease a New Jersey-registered vehicle linked to an active toll account and provide proof of honorable or general honorable discharge from the military or National Guard. The authorities must approve applications based on standard military separation documents or official veteran identification cards, and the discount applies to all tolls collected at any time.
The "Compassionate Spousal Visits for Veterans Act" creates a transportation grant program in New Jersey to help spouses of veterans visit them at long-term care facilities or VA medical centers. This initiative allows eligible spouses to receive reimbursement for travel costs on public transit, county vehicles, or private rides when they cannot drive themselves and lack other funding options. The Department of Veterans Affairs will manage the program, which includes setting up rules for reimbursement, ensuring liability insurance for transport vehicles, and notifying the public about the new benefits. To fund these efforts, the bill appropriates $500,000 from the state's General Fund.
This bill creates a new position in every New Jersey veterans service office to help veterans access state programs for unemployment, homelessness, and suicide prevention. The appointed individual must be a local veteran who will work full-time alongside the existing service officer to address these specific concerns. The role includes a salary set by the commissioner and allows for additional tasks as long as they do not interfere with the primary duties.
This bill directs the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs to convert at least one ward each in the Paramus and Menlo Park veterans' memorial homes into single-occupancy rooms. It also mandates upgrades to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems at both facilities to meet infection control standards, including the potential use of negative pressure ventilation. The legislation allows the state's Adjutant General to decide on additional room modifications and authorizes funding from federal grants or state general funds to cover these costs.
This New Jersey bill increases the state gross income tax deduction for veterans from $6,000 to $9,000. To qualify, individuals must have been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, reserve components, or the New Jersey National Guard. The legislation also mandates that the $9,000 deduction amount be adjusted annually for inflation starting in tax year 2027 based on the Chained Consumer Price Index. These changes apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
This New Jersey bill prohibits the sale, manufacture, and distribution of apparel containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) starting two years after the law takes effect. The legislation defines 'apparel' broadly to include clothing, footwear, and outdoor gear, while explicitly excluding personal protective equipment and military uniforms. Violations of the ban will be treated as offenses under existing consumer protection laws, with penalties applied to sellers and manufacturers who distribute non-compliant products.
This bill creates a new housing assistance program called "Veterans Helping Veterans" within the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs to help homeless veterans find shelter. The program would connect homeless veterans with other veterans who volunteer to provide housing, using a vetting and incentive system similar to the state's foster care program. Key provisions include establishing specific eligibility rules for both those seeking and providing housing, setting up an application process, and allowing the department to accept federal or private grants to fund the initiative. The Department of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, must develop detailed guidelines and regulations to manage the program within 90 days of the bill's enactment.
This bill creates a new housing assistance initiative called the "Veterans Helping Veterans" program within the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs. The program aims to connect homeless veterans with other veterans who volunteer to provide them with housing, using a vetting and incentive system similar to the state's foster care program. Key provisions require the department to establish clear application processes, eligibility criteria for both those seeking and providing housing, and rules for monitoring participant compliance. Additionally, the bill authorizes the department to seek external funding and mandates that implementing regulations be adopted within 90 days of enactment.
This bill allows qualified veteran organizations to offer free post-traumatic stress disorder counseling to veterans and their family members through licensed clinicians. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to coordinate these efforts by recruiting clinicians, matching them with those in need, and maintaining a list of available providers. To encourage participation, the bill establishes a system where clinicians can receive a state tax credit for donated hours, capped between 20 and 40 hours annually, while also granting them immunity from civil liability. Additionally, the legislation defines key terms such as "clinician," "family member," and "veteran" to clarify who is eligible for these services and benefits.
This New Jersey bill mandates that all battlefield cross memorials within the state must include replicas of a vertical rifle, helmet, boots, and dog tags. The law applies to both existing monuments and any new ones erected after the bill takes effect, aiming to standardize these symbols of honor for fallen soldiers. Additionally, the legislation authorizes state veterans' agencies to seek external funding to help install these specific components on the memorials. By updating the design requirements, the bill seeks to align current memorials with the modern configuration that has been used since the Gulf War.
