New Jersey A 4286: Requires prospective and current staff members of child care centers to undergo drug testing as condition of employment.

Bill Text

A4286 

ASSEMBLY, No. 4286 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman� SHANIQUE SPEIGHT

District 29 (Essex and Hudson)

SYNOPSIS

���� Makes FY2026 supplemental appropriation of $30 
million from General Fund to Food and Hunger Programs in Department of 
Agriculture. 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� As introduced.

�� 

A 
Supplement to the annual appropriations act 
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, P.L.2025, c.74.

���� Be It 
Enacted by the Senate and the General Assembly 
of the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.� In addition to the amounts 
appropriated under P.L.2025, c.74, the annual appropriations act for the fiscal 
year ending June 30, 2026, there is appropriated from the General Fund the 
following amount for the purpose specified:

10 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

40 Community Development and 
Environmental Management

49 Agricultural Resources, Planning, 
and Regulation

GRANTS-IN-AID

05-3350� Food and Nutrition 
Services ............................. $30,000,000

���������������� Total 
Grants-in-Aid Appropriation,�������������������������������������� 

������������������ Agricultural 
Resources, Planning, and Regulation $30,000,000

Grants-in-Aid:

�������� 05��� Food and 
Hunger Programs................ ($30,000,000)

���� 2.� This act shall take effect 
immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill supplements the 
Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act to make an appropriation of $30 million 
from the General Fund to the Department of Agriculture, to be used for food and 
hunger programs.� The funds would be distributed to the State�s six regional 
food banks, which solicit, store, and distribute donations of edible but 
unmarketable surplus food.� The food is then distributed to food pantries and 
other nonprofit organizations that feed the needy.

���� In November 2025, due to the 
federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture halted benefit 
payments under the federal SNAP program, citing insufficient funds.� 
Approximately 800,000, or one in nine, New Jersey residents rely on SNAP benefits 
to purchase groceries each month.� The delay in funding will impact the entire 
State as food banks become overwhelmed and New Jersey residents stop paying 
certain bills in order to pay for food.� This funding will provide meals to 
low-income families, senior citizens, disabled individuals, and children 
throughout the State.