Bill

A 2036

Provides a tax credit to taxpayers who grow the base ingredients necessary for the production of beer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Bendett and 6 co-sponsors

The bill improves access to safe sleep information and baby boxes details by standardizing cross-agency online resources and requiring DCF-led coordination.

REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · A 2036

Summary: Assembly Bill A 2036 (Introduced Version)

Note: The title provided in the bill information references a tax credit for beer ingredients. However, the text of the introduced version presented here concerns safe sleep education and the state’s “baby boxes” program. The summary below reflects the introduced version’s content.

Overview and Purpose

The bill aims to improve access to information about New Jersey’s baby boxes program and safe sleep education for expecting and new parents.
It tasks the Department of Children and Families (DCF) with developing, formatting, and distributing easily printable information about the program and ensuring it is widely accessible online.
The bill seeks to create a coordinated, cross-agency information network about the program, linking to relevant departments’ websites (Health, Human Services, Education, and other appropriate agencies).

Key Provisions

1) DCF Information Publication and Accessibility
- DCF must prepare and make available on its website, in an easily printable format, information on the baby boxes program and safe sleep education.
- DCF must update this information whenever new program details become available.

2) Website Linking and Cross-Agency Coordination
- DCF must post an easily accessible hyperlink to the baby boxes program on its own website and ensure it is prominently displayed and kept up to date.
- In coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Human Services (DHS), Department of Education (DOE), and, as appropriate, other state departments, DCF must:
- Ensure the information posted on the DCF site is also available on the DOH, DHS, DOE, and other relevant agencies’ websites and kept current.
- Ensure a link to the baby boxes program is posted on those agencies’ websites and kept current.

3) Definition of “Baby Box”
- A “baby box” is defined as a durable cardboard box containing essential items for newborns and expecting/new parents (e.g., diapers, baby wipes, safe-sleep information) that can serve as a safe sleep environment in the infant’s early months.
- The box must meet all applicable tenets of the bassinet standard established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

4) Rulemaking
- DCF, under the Administrative Procedure Act, must adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the act’s purposes.

5) Effective Date
- The act takes effect on the first day of the third month following enactment.

Affected Parties

Primary: Department of Children and Families (DCF), with obligations to coordinate with:
- Department of Health (DOH)
- Department of Human Services (DHS)
- Department of Education (DOE)
- Other appropriate state agencies that provide services to parents or children

Legislative History and Actions

Introduced: January 9, 2024
Initial Committee Action: Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
2025 Updates: Referred to Ways and Means (on January 14, 2025; listed twice in the provided actions)

Related Bills

S 2193 (companion)
A 9425, A 4474, A 5531, A 4291, A 5498 (prior sessions)

Potential Impact

Improves public access to information about New Jersey’s baby boxes program and safe sleep education.
Encourages cross-agency consistency in messaging and online presence.
Supports new and expecting parents by consolidating resources and ensuring easy online access.
Requires administrative rulemaking to implement program objectives and interdepartmental coordination.

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