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A 3282

Adds assaults against certain employees of state and local government agencies as an assault in the second degree

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Harry Bronson and 11 co-sponsors

Imposes a $75 eviction-filing fee to fund DCA eviction-prevention services, while widening eligibility for at-risk tenants/homeowners facing eviction or foreclosure.

REFERRED TO CODES
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Bill Summary · A 3282

Summary — A3282 (Assembly Committee Substitute)

Title: Adds assaults against certain employees of state and local government agencies as an assault in the second degree
Status: Referred to Codes (substitute reported by Assembly Appropriations Committee 5/15/2025)
Introduced: 01/09/2024

Note: The Assembly committee substitute substantially revises the Homelessness Prevention Program and creates a new eviction-filing charge; the document text included here reflects those homelessness/eviction provisions.

Main purpose

  • Revise and codify rules for New Jersey’s Homelessness Prevention Program (renamed in parts to Eviction and Homelessness Prevention Program) to broaden and clarify eligibility, prioritize limited resources, and formalize delivery options (grants, subsidies, loans for mortgage arrears).
  • Create a new $75 charge on certain eviction filings to fund eviction-prevention services administered by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Office of Eviction Prevention.

Key provisions

  1. Program name/regs
    • Authorizes DCA to amend and codify regulations (renamed Eviction and Homelessness Prevention Program Regulations).
  2. Eligibility (renters and mortgagors)
    • Applicants must be NJ residents and homeless or “imminently” at risk due to: certain eviction actions related to inability to pay rent, mortgage foreclosure, or likely-to-foreclose/pay problems.
    • Income cap: applicants with household income over 80% of area median income (AMI) are ineligible.
    • Detailed criteria define “imminent danger” (e.g., pending summons within 12 months, judgment for possession within past 6 months, sheriff’s sale within 30 days for mortgagors).
    • Exclusions: applicants who concealed assets, have delinquent program loans (with limited exceptions), or rent from most family members (some exceptions).
  3. Mortgage assistance
    • Assistance for foreclosure risk is provided as a loan secured by a recorded mortgage.
    • Borrower/property requirements: owner-occupied, single-family dwelling owned and occupied ≥1 year; no ongoing bankruptcy; generally single mortgage only.
    • Loan cap: total loan amount cannot exceed 600% of the monthly HUD “payment standard” for the family size.
  4. Prioritization and distribution
    • If funds are insufficient, first consideration goes to applicants most vulnerable (examples: disabled, age ≥62, victims of domestic violence, households with children, prior homelessness).
    • Funds to be distributed to ensure equal regional access.
  5. Eviction filing charge and use
    • Adds a $75 charge for filing an eviction action by landlords who lease >3 dwelling units (or >4 units if owner-occupied).
    • Collections are directed to the Office of Eviction Prevention for eviction-prevention services (resource navigators, rental assistance navigation, rehousing, social services, legal connections).
    • Fee cannot be shifted to tenants, cannot be treated as “additional rent,” and is excluded from the statutory definition of recoverable landlord “expenses.”
  6. Rulemaking and timing
    • DCA must adopt rules; bill takes effect the first day of the fourth month after enactment (Commissioner may take anticipatory actions).

Who is affected

  • Tenants and homeowners at risk of eviction or foreclosure (expanded eligibility and assistance types).
  • Landlords leasing more than 3 units (or >4 if owner-occupied) — subject to the $75 filing charge.
  • Department of Community Affairs / Office of Eviction Prevention — new funding stream and program responsibilities.
  • Courts — administrative collection of the additional eviction filing charge.

Fiscal impact

  • Office of Legislative Services: indeterminate annual State revenue and expenditure increases.
  • Revenue source: $75 fee on certain eviction filings. Potential universe up to ~114,000 filings annually, but number actually subject to the fee is unknown.
  • Proceeds to be used for eviction and homelessness prevention services administered by DCA.

Legislative status & sponsors

  • Primary sponsor: Assemblyman Harry B. Bronson; multiple cosponsors.
  • Related/companion: S268; S6045 (companion); several prior-session bills listed.
  • Procedural actions: Introduced 01/09/2024; referred to Housing Committee; substitute reported by Appropriations 05/15/2025; referred to Codes 01/27/2025.

For implementation details, DCA rulemaking and the enacted bill text provide specific program guidance (income calculations, subsidy formulas, loan mechanics, and annual prioritization criteria).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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