Bills affecting your community in New Jersey — 2026 session

Eliminates eligibility of certain students including undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria to receive State student financial aid or to qualify for in-State tuition at public institutions of higher education.

Excludes veteran disability compensation from income qualification limits under homestead property tax reimbursement program.

Revises law permitting undocumented students to pay in-State tuition rate at public institution of higher education and receive certain student financial assistance.

Requires Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain primary and mental health care services match reimbursement rates under Medicare.

Revises procedures for processing incomplete Medicaid applications; exempts asset transfers of up to $500 per month during look back period for determining eligibility for long-term care services.

Limits estate recovery under Medicaid to federal mandated recovery for nursing home care and other long-term care costs.

Makes total property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans retroactive to effective date of determination of total disability; requires State to reimburse municipalities for reimbursement of property taxes paid to veteran.

Increases maximum age for pediatric long-term care facility residents to 26.

Requires Medicaid reimbursement of mental health rehabilitation services provided via clubhouse program.

Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for family planning and reproductive health care services; prohibits adverse actions by medical malpractice insurers in relation to performance of legally protected health care services.

Establishes minimum Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare pediatric special care nursing facility reimbursement rates.

Establishes Restaurant Meals Program in DHS; permits certain individuals to use SNAP benefits at approved restaurants; requires participation by certain restaurants operated by institutions of higher education.

Codifies Medicaid coverage for eligible pregnant women for 365-day period beginning on last day of pregnancy.

Increases Medicaid reimbursement for in-person partial care and intensive outpatient behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services, and associated transportation services, for adults.

Requires four-year public institution of higher education to develop and implement reproductive health services plan; requires county college to develop referral network for reproductive health care services.

Requires residential psychiatric and long-term care facilities to provide certain financial information to facility residents and other individuals.

Provides that denial of services by domestic violence shelters based on a person's disability or perceived disability is unlawful discrimination.

Clarifies staff training requirements at long-term care facilities regarding care of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, and intersex seniors and seniors living with HIV.

Establishes minimum Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for pediatric special care nursing facilities.

Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having service-connected permanent disability; extends eligibility to veterans suffering from mental illness; establishes eligibility of property owned by disabled veteran with surviving partner for exemption.