Bill
Bill > A2486
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill establishes the Office of New Americans in the New Jersey Department of Human Services. This bill codifies the existing Office of New Americans established in 2019 pursuant to Executive Order 74 of 2019. The commissioner will appoint the director, and the director will be the administrator and head of the office. The bill requires the office to be a centralized location for expertise and data on New Americans and to engage in programs, initiatives, and policies focused on successful integration for immigrants, refugees, and their children. The office will also provide technical assistance and training to other offices and departments in the Executive Branch on issues pertaining to effective and equitable engagement with New Americans. The bill also requires the Department of Human Services, through the Office of New Americans, to: administer services for New Americans; engage directly with immigrant and refugee communities and service providers to understand and address their concerns and the obstacles they face in accessing services and resources; and support and advise State departments and agencies, as well as other organizations, on community engagement and outreach to promote best practices and improve the accessibility of State programs and information by New Americans. Additionally, the bill requires the office to use data for informing the State's efforts only as authorized under State and federal law to advance integration for immigrants. The office will not use or share data for the use of civil immigration enforcement.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Office of New Americans within the New Jersey Department of Human Services, codifying an office previously created by executive order in 2019. The bill defines "New Americans" as immigrants, refugees, and their children, and acknowledges their significant contributions to New Jersey's economy, workforce, and cultural diversity. The office will be led by a director appointed by the Commissioner of Human Services and will serve as a centralized resource for expertise and data on immigrant communities. Its key responsibilities include administering refugee services, providing legal assistance to low-income immigrants, promoting workforce development, offering training and resources, and supporting other state agencies in effectively engaging with immigrant populations. The office will focus on understanding and addressing obstacles faced by immigrants, promoting their rights and access to services, and conducting research on immigrant demographics and language access needs. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that the office will only use data to advance immigrant integration and will not assist with civil immigration enforcement, ensuring a supportive and protective approach to serving New American communities.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (15)
Ellen Park (D)*,
Annette Quijano (D)*,
Gabriel Rodriguez (D)*,
Rosaura Bagolie (D),
Linda Carter (D),
Alixon Collazos-Gill (D),
Shama Haider (D),
Garnet Hall (D),
Julio Marenco (D),
Jessica Ramirez (D),
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D),
Balvir Singh (D),
Shanique Speight (D),
Sterley Stanley (D),
Anthony Verrelli (D),
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A2486 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A2500/2486_I2.HTM |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A2500/2486_I1.HTM |
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