Bills affecting LGBTQ+ / Queer in New Jersey (2026 session)

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 task force to study and make recommendations concerning health care service needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer or questioning individuals, and persons with intersex conditions in the State.

Creates certain assistance and set-aside programs for businesses owned by lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender persons, by persons with a disability, and by veterans.

Prohibits health care professionals from providing gender-affirming health care services to persons under 21 years of age.

Prohibits board of education from providing instruction in family life education, sex education, sexual health, sexual orientation, or gender identity to students in preschool through grade four.

Prohibits unfair discrimination in issuing or rating life insurance policies based on transgender status or certain gender identity information.

Requires State blanks, forms, documents, and applications to incorporate new standards for collection of information about sex, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Removes exclusion of affectional or sexual orientation and gender identity or expression from affirmative action programs under public works contracts.

"Reasonable Pediatric Questions Act"; eliminates requirement for clinical laboratories to ask certain children questions about gender identity and sexual orientation.

Requires DOC to assign transgender inmate to State correctional facility based on inmate's gender identity and use inmate's preferred gender pronoun.

Prohibits juror disqualification based on gender identity or sexual orientation; codifies procedures when discriminatory use of peremptory challenges is alleged.

Establishes certain protections for persons providing, receiving, and allowing children to receive gender-affirming health care.

Requires modernization of all State blanks, forms, documents, and applications to incorporate new standards for collection of information about sex, gender, and sexual orientation.

Updates definition of veteran to include discharged LGBTQ veteran; requires DVA develop review process for such veterans.

Establishes certain protections for persons providing, receiving, or allowing children to receive gender-affirming health care.

Mandates biennial LGBTQ+ cultural competency training for certain educators, healthcare professionals, and State employees.