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S 3437

Relates to prohibiting the establishment of new for-profit hospices

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nathalia Fernández and 6 co-sponsors

Creates a specialized “Disabled Veteran” license plate allowing eligible veterans to park in spaces for the disabled without a placard, with a $15 fee.

SUBSTITUTED BY A565
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 3437

Summary — S.3437 (Substituted by A.565)

Short title: Relates to prohibiting the establishment of new for‑profit hospices (bill caption in system appears inconsistent with content).
Actual subject of S.3437 (as introduced and amended): creates a special “Qualified Disabled Veteran” motor vehicle license plate that permits eligible disabled veterans to park in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.

Main purpose

To authorize and establish a distinct license plate for qualified disabled veterans that:
- visibly identifies the vehicle as belonging to a disabled veteran (plate text “Disabled Veteran” and a wheelchair symbol), and
- allows the vehicle to be parked in parking spaces or zones reserved for persons with disabilities without requiring a separate disability placard or disability ID card.

Key provisions

  • Definitions: A “disabled veteran” must be a New Jersey resident certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as having a service‑connected disability and — per committee amendments — must have an ability to walk that is limited or impaired, certified by specified medical professionals (physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, including certain military physicians and bordering‑state practitioners as described).
  • Plate issuance: Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) shall issue the plate upon proper application for any motor vehicle owned/leased and registered in NJ by a qualified disabled veteran.
  • Plate design: Must display “Disabled Veteran” and a wheelchair symbol.
  • Application requirements: Applicants must provide medical documentation of the mobility impairment as specified by the MVC form.
  • Fee: Committee amendments establish a $15 application fee (original introduced version had no fee).
  • Use and limits: Plates are non‑transferable and are for exclusive use by the person to whom issued. Display of the valid, unexpired plate is required to use accessible parking privileges; no separate disability placard or ID is required.
  • Enforcement: Knowing misuse or abuse of the plate’s privileges can lead to revocation of benefits and forfeiture of the plate.
  • Effective date: The act would take effect on the first day of the sixth month following enactment; MVC may take anticipatory steps for implementation.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: New Jersey residents who are veterans with service‑connected disabilities that limit or impair walking and who meet the medical certification requirements.
  • Agencies: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (program administration, issuance, and enforcement).
  • General public: potential impacts on parking enforcement and availability of handicapped parking spaces.

Fiscal and implementation impacts

  • MVC reported an upfront implementation cost of $46,423 (computer programming and initial plate print run).
  • Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates potential first‑year revenue from the $15 fee between $59,100 and $295,500, based on assumed applicant uptake of ~10%–50% of an estimated 39,400 veterans with 30%–90% VA disability ratings (approx. 3,940–19,700 applicants). Long‑term revenues/expenditures are indeterminate and may largely offset each other.
  • MVC will need to update systems, design notices (to include with renewals), and produce specialty plates.

Procedural status (selected)

  • Introduced in Senate: 2024‑06‑13; referred to Senate Transportation Committee.
  • Reported out of Senate Transportation Committee with committee amendments: 2024‑12‑05 (referred to Budget & Appropriations).
  • Advanced in Senate calendar steps in early 2025; on 2025‑04‑09 S.3437 was recorded as “SUBSTITUTED BY A565” (A.565 is the companion/substitute Assembly version).

Sponsors and related legislation

  • Sponsors: Primary — Sen. Liz Krueger; cosponsors include Nathalia Fernandez, Brad Hoylman‑Sigal, Rachel May, Lea Webb, Shelley Mayer, John Liu.
  • Related/companion bills: A.2193; A.565 (substitute/companion); prior‑session bills S.6460, S.9387, S.9387/S.9387 noted.

Note: S.3437 was substituted by A.565 on April 9, 2025; final outcomes and any substantive differences should be confirmed by reviewing A.565 and the enrolled/act version if enacted.

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

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