Bill Text: NJ S4596 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes Center for Black Policy, Research, and Development in Department of State; makes appropriation.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-09-28 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee [S4596 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-S4596-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes Center for Black Policy, Research, and Development in Department of State; makes appropriation.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing the Center for Black Policy, Research, and Development in the Department of State, supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes, and making an appropriation.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. There is established in the Department of State an office to be known as the Center for Black Policy, Research, and Development. The purpose of the center shall be to facilitate the participation of the Black community in the policy-making process and administer grants programs that support the development of the Black community in New Jersey.
b. The center shall be overseen by an executive director who shall be appointed by the Governor, in consultation with the Secretary of State. The executive director shall establish priorities for the center, in accordance with this section, and may hire staff to support the operations of the center, within the limits of funds appropriated for such purpose.
c. The center shall:
(1) create processes for engaging with the Black community on matters of policy;
(2) establish working relationships with individuals and organizations that advocate for the advancement of the Black community;
(3) administer grant programs to encourage development and provide support services for the Black community;
(4) develop training programs and employment networks for the Black community;
(5) conduct research on issues of particular concern to the Black community;
(6) inform members of the Executive and Legislative Branches of State Government on initiatives with the potential to impact the Black community; and
(7) undertake such other projects and responsibilities as the executive director deems necessary and appropriate.
d. The center may also engage with other State and local public entities for the purposes of developing or improving on existing public programs, implementing training programs, or distributing grants or other public funds designated for the support of the Black community.
e. The center shall annually report to the Governor and to the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), regarding the operations of the center. The report shall include an assessment of grants and programs administered or supported by the center, including the accessibility, participation, and overall impact of such grants and programs in relation to the Black community.
2. There is appropriated the sum of $3 million from the General Fund to the Department of State to effectuate the purposes of this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes a Center for Black Policy, Research, and Development in the Department of State. The purpose of the center will be to facilitate the participation of the Black community in the policy-making process and administer grants programs that support the development of the Black community in New Jersey.
Under the bill, the center will be overseen by an executive director. The executive director will establish priorities for the center and may hire staff to support the operations of the center.
The bill requires that, at a minimum, the center will:
create processes for engaging with the Black community on matters of policy;
establish working relationships with individuals and organizations that advocate for the advancement of the Black community;
administer grant programs to encourage development and provide support services for the Black community;
develop training programs and employment networks for the Black community;
conduct research on issues of particular concern to the Black community; and
inform members of the Executive and Legislative Branches of State Government on initiatives with the potential to impact the Black community.
The center may also engage with other State and local public entities for the purposes of developing or improving on existing public programs, implementing training programs, or distributing grants or other public funds designated for the support of the Black community.
The bill appropriates $3 million to the Department of State in order to effectuate the purposes of the bill.
