Bills affecting Person with a disability in New Jersey — 2026 session

Establishes protected leave under "Family Leave Act" and family temporary disability leave benefits for bereavement for death of child, miscarriage, stillbirth, and certain other circumstances.

"Ruth Gilbert Alzheimer's Accessibility Act"; allows certain individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or dementia to receive, and caregivers transporting those individuals to utilize, parking privileges reserved for persons with disability.

Provides for filing extension and alternate medical documentation in PFRS, SPRS, or PERS for accidental disability retirement in certain circumstances; extends accidental death benefit for survivors of certain SPRS retirees.

Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected permanent disability and proclaims that the State shall reimburse municipalities for cost of exemption.

Permits any member of PERS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations.

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.

Permits application for PERS accidental disability benefit for injury sustained after January 2003 while employed at State psychiatric institution or correctional facility immediately prior to PERS membership.

Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having a service-connected disability and proclaims that the State shall reimburse municipalities for cost of exemptions.

Permits person diagnosed with autism or communication disability to voluntarily make notation on driver's license, identification card, and in MVC registry; establishes program to train law enforcement officers in interactions with persons with autism or communication disabilities.

Concerns accessibility in certain multistory buildings; provides for penalties.

Establishes civil action for abuse, neglect, exploitation or bullying of minor or adult with disability; provides that bullying of vulnerable adult may constitute grounds for investigation by adult protective services and report to law enforcement.

"New Jersey Disability Savings Act."

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

"Expediency and Accessibility in State Environmental Permitting Act"; appropriates $3,750,000.

Requires extraordinary special education aid to school districts for students with costs over $55,000 to be assessed and levied by county in which school district is located.

Provides exemption from payments in lieu of property taxes to certain veterans who have suffered permanent and total disability.

Establishes requirements concerning methods for determining whether student has specific learning disability under federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Makes various changes to school funding law and Educational Adequacy Report; establishes Special Education Funding Review Task Force.

Provides certain health care benefits to surviving dependents of accidental disability retiree who participated in 9/11 WTC rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations; clarifies eligibility criteria for recalculation of retirement allowance for such participation.

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