This bill requires dental clinics operated by public university dental schools (like Rutgers) to give priority scheduling to 100% disabled veterans seeking oral health care. It mandates that clinics schedule appointments for these veterans within 30 days of their request, ensuring timely access to treatment. The policy directly affects veterans who are permanently 100% disabled per U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs adjudication and reside in New Jersey. The law applies to all public institution dental clinics participating in extramural networks, with rules to be developed by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
This bill modifies New Jersey's age requirement for municipal police officers to allow veterans to deduct military service time from their age. Specifically, veterans who served at least 10 days during a time of war may have up to two years of service deducted from their actual age, meaning their adjusted age must be 35 or younger to qualify. It directly affects veterans over 35 seeking police officer positions in New Jersey municipalities. The change caps the deduction at two years (previously unbounded) while maintaining the 35-year maximum age limit. The amendment updates existing law (N.J.S.40A:14-127) to clarify this provision.
This bill (A4057) creates the "Indigent Veterans’ Burial Services Fund" in New Jersey's Treasury. It allows taxpayers to voluntarily contribute a portion of their state tax refund or make a separate payment when filing their gross income tax return, directing funds to cover burial or cremation costs for indigent veterans. The fund specifically supports veterans who lack resources for burial - such as homeless veterans or those with abandoned remains - beyond the current system where counties cover up to $250 and the state provides additional funding up to $1,250. All collected contributions must be annually appropriated by the Legislature to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for these burial expenses.
This bill updates New Jersey's tuition policy to ensure veterans and eligible family members (spouses or children) who qualify for federal education benefits continue to pay in-state tuition rates during public health emergencies requiring remote learning. It applies when veterans or covered individuals live outside New Jersey temporarily while attending public colleges in New Jersey through remote instruction. The policy change extends the existing NJTEAM Act, which already provides in-state tuition to qualifying veterans residing in New Jersey, to cover temporary out-of-state stays during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. This directly affects veterans and their families using federal education benefits who face forced relocation due to health-related campus closures.
This bill increases paid military leave for New Jersey public employees serving in U.S. military Reserves from 30 to 90 work days per year. It directly affects state, county, school district, and municipal employees who are members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps Reserves, or affiliated National Guard units. The key change allows these employees to take up to 90 paid work days for federal active duty, with any additional days provided without pay. Local employers can seek state reimbursement for costs incurred under this policy through the State Treasurer’s office. The change aligns benefits for out-of-state Reserve members with those already provided to New Jersey National Guard members.
This bill requires New Jersey public and independent colleges to provide academic accommodations for students serving in the National Guard, Reserves, or active duty military. It gives students who miss classes due to military obligations (like deployments or drills) options to receive a pass/fail grade, incomplete, or withdrawal - plus refunds for tuition and fees if they withdraw. Institutions must notify students of these rights, create written contracts with professors to address missed coursework, and provide accommodations like lecture notes or tutoring. Additionally, schools must accept up to 30 college credits for undergraduate military experience (and 12 for graduate programs) based on American Council on Education evaluations. The law directly affects student veterans and military-affiliated learners enrolled in New Jersey higher education.
This bill requires New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to offer small business loans with lower interest rates and more flexible repayment terms to veteran-owned small businesses. Specifically, it mandates that businesses where over 50% of employees are veterans receive more favorable terms, and zero-percent interest rates apply to businesses owned by veterans with service-connected disabilities. The bill also prohibits the EDA from charging application, commitment, closing, or guarantee fees for these veteran-owned businesses. These provisions apply to loans issued through the EDA's existing small business loan program.
This bill (A 2277) provides school enrollment flexibility for military-connected students in New Jersey. It requires school districts to waive residency time requirements, give enrollment preference, and guarantee admission regardless of capacity if military orders are provided. The bill directly affects students dependent on active-duty service members, National Guard members, veterans, or civilian military employees (as defined in Section 1b). Key provisions include maintaining enrollment in the original district during relocation, options for 11th graders to stay until graduation, and access to military installation schools within 10 days of arrival. The law aims to reduce enrollment barriers caused by frequent military relocations.
This bill updates New Jersey's definition of "veteran" to include individuals discharged under less than honorable conditions due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or related conduct. It directly affects LGBTQ veterans who were discharged for these reasons, expanding their eligibility for state benefits and programs. The key mechanism requires the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DVA) to create a standardized review process to verify a veteran's status as a "discharged LGBTQ veteran," including an eligibility form. The bill amends existing statutes to formally incorporate this new definition into state law, ensuring these veterans qualify for benefits previously reserved for those discharged under honorable conditions.
This New Jersey bill increases annual payments to veterans with specific wartime service-connected disabilities from $750 to $1,500 per year. It directly affects veterans who lost sight during wartime (under R.S.38:18-2) or have severe disabilities like paraplegia, amputations, or permanent limb loss from service-related injuries (under P.L.1947, c.263). The bill establishes an automatic annual adjustment to payments based on the Consumer Price Index for the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island area, ensuring payments keep pace with inflation. Adjustments are calculated each December 1st for payments starting January 1st of the following year, with the first adjustment delayed until 12 months after the bill takes effect.
