All Roll Calls
Yes: 110 • No: 0
New JerseyS3153220th Legislature (2024-2025)SenateWALLET
Prohibits DCF from using federal benefits received by a child in out of home placement to reimburse State for cost of child's care, except under certain circumstances.*
Sponsored By: Joseph P. Cryan (Democratic), Shama A. Haider (Democratic), M. Teresa Ruiz (Democratic), Shanique Speight (Democratic), Sumter, Shavonda E.
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Federal benefit access for children in care
Beginning December 1, 2026, DCF must check whether children in child protection custody receive or may qualify for federal benefits. These include Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and veterans benefits. For eligible or potentially eligible children, DCF must apply after notifying the child, the child’s parent, legal guardian, lawyer, and family court. When needed to protect eligibility for a child who qualifies or may qualify for SSI, DCF must forgo federal Title IV-E care payments for that child. The commissioner must seek necessary federal waivers to carry out the law and maintain federal reimbursement for state child welfare spending. The commissioner must also adopt implementing rules and may take administrative steps before the law’s start date.
Protecting benefits for children in state care
Beginning December 1, 2026, New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) cannot use children’s property or benefits to cover state care costs while they are in child protection custody. An exception allows use needed to preserve Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility or meet federal SSI asset limits. When appointed to manage a child’s federal benefits, DCF may spend them on unmet needs beyond what the state must or agrees to pay. First, DCF must notify the child, the child’s parent, legal guardian, lawyer, and family court. As the benefit manager, DCF must monitor federal asset limits and open a qualified ABLE savings account or another trust account for each eligible child. DCF must use or save benefits in the child’s best interest without breaking eligibility limits, and give those same parties an annual accounting.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Joseph P. Cryan
Democratic • Senate
Shama A. Haider
Democratic • House
M. Teresa Ruiz
Democratic • Senate
Shanique Speight
Democratic • House
Sumter, Shavonda E.
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Jon M. Bramnick
Republican • Senate
Hall, Garnet R.
Affiliation unavailable
Angela V. McKnight
Democratic • Senate
Vincent J. Polistina
Republican • Senate
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
Democratic • House
Swift, Claire S.
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 12/8/2025
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 72 • No: 0 • Other: 4
Senate vote • 12/19/2024
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 38 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor — P.L.2025, c.162.
12/19/2025GovernorPassed Assembly, PBH — (72-0-4)
12/8/2025HouseSubstituted for A4543 (2R)
12/8/2025HouseReported, 2nd Reading in Assembly
3/20/2025HouseReceived in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
12/19/2024HousePassed Senate — (38-0)
12/19/2024SenateReported, 2nd Reading in Senate
12/9/2024SenateReferred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
10/7/2024SenateREP/SCA, 2nd Reading in Senate
10/7/2024SenateIntroduced, 1st Reading in Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
5/6/2024Senate
Bill Text
Version PL2025
1/28/2026
Version AL2025
1/15/2026
Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens (10/7/24 1R)
12/9/2025
Assembly Appropriations Substitute (3/20/25 1R)
3/21/2025
Senate Budget and Appropriations Substitute (12/9/24 1R)
12/10/2024
11/6/24; 1R
11/6/2024
Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Substitute (10/7/24)
10/8/2024
As Introduced
10/7/2024
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