SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1574

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 19, 2026

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1574.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill allows each county in the State to establish a central registry that allows senior residents, 65 years of age or older, to voluntarily register to receive additional assistance during an emergency.  A county that creates a central registry is to conduct a public awareness campaign, utilizing the Internet and any other available resources, to inform the general public of the importance of registration by senior residents so that appropriate preparations may be made to ensure that these individuals receive necessary assistance.

      Each county in the State may prepare and provide emergency supply kits for senior residents.  The items within these emergency supply kits would be determined by each county office of emergency management.

      Finally, the bill appropriates from the General Fund to the State Office of Emergency Management sums as may be necessary for the operating expenses of the counties for preparing emergency supply kits for senior residents who have registered to receive additional assistance during an emergency to be distributed to counties that prepare and provide emergency supply kits pursuant to the bill’s provisions.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to make clarifying and technical changes.