The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.New Jersey directs DHS to create outreach and fast-track safety net enrollment for children of incarcerated parents
Last action · January 13, 2026: Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services CommitteeSponsors: Gary Schaer and 2 others
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What This Bill Would Do
The Department of Human Services must establish an outreach and enrollment program to help children with incarcerated s access like SNAP, Work First New Jersey, NJ FamilyCare, and Child Care Subsidies. The department must identify eligible children up to age 18, contact their custodial parents at least three times, and process submitted applications within 30 days.
Custodial families of children with incarcerated s gain a dedicated outreach channel and a guaranteed 30-day decision deadline on safety net applications.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
New Jersey children with an incarcerated non-custodial parent
Children up to age 18 are identified through state agencies to receive targeted outreach and streamlined enrollment assistance for safety net programs.
Custodial parents or guardians
Custodial parents receive direct outreach contacts, benefit information, application guidance, and a guaranteed 30-day application processing window.
Department of Human Services
The department must establish the outreach program, collaborate with other agencies, conduct parental outreach, and track application processing timelines.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which children qualify for the new outreach program?
How often must the state contact the custodial parent or guardian?
What is the deadline for processing applications submitted through this program?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
njleg.state.nj.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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