This bill amends the existing law regarding property tax exemptions for disabled veterans in New Jersey by expanding the definition of "surviving spouse" to include individuals who had a close personal relationship with a deceased veteran. Currently, the property tax exemption is available only to honorably discharged veterans with specific service-connected disabilities and their legally married surviving spouses. The new provisions allow individuals who meet certain criteria—such as having shared a residence with the veteran for at least three consecutive years, being jointly responsible for each other's welfare, and not being married or in a civil union at the time of the veteran's death—to qualify for the exemption.

To claim the exemption under this expanded definition, the individual must submit an affidavit attesting to their eligibility, along with any required documentation to support their claim. This documentation may include evidence of shared residence, joint financial responsibilities, and other indicators of a close personal relationship with the deceased veteran. The bill aims to provide additional support to those who were closely connected to veterans, thereby broadening access to the property tax exemption benefits.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 54:4-3.30