Bill > S4155

This bill requires the Office of Homelessness Prevention (OHP), which is part of the Department of Community Affairs, to contract with county agencies or nonprofits in each county to help individuals experiencing homelessness obtain personal identification and birth certificates. Specifically, these contracted agencies will be authorized to directly access and issue birth certificates from the State Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, and must notify that office each time a certificate is issued. The bill appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to support these efforts, with funds to be distributed among the contracted agencies proportionally based on each county's homeless population. This new provision is an expansion of the OHP's existing responsibilities, which already include collecting homeless population data, evaluating services, exploring funding sources, and coordinating programs to support people experiencing homelessness. By helping homeless individuals obtain identification documents, the bill aims to remove a significant barrier that can prevent people from accessing housing, employment, healthcare, and other critical services.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4155