The proposed bill establishes the New Jersey Gold Star Family Annuity Program within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, aimed at providing an annual annuity of $600 to surviving Gold Star family members of service members who died while on active duty. The bill defines a Gold Star family member as a New Jersey resident who is a surviving spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, parent, sibling, child, legal guardian, or other legal custodian of the deceased service member. The annuity will be disbursed on January 1 each year, with potential increases starting two years after the bill's effective date, based on adjustments to compensation and pension benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, capped between one and four percent.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that no payments will be made to non-residents, and remarriage will not disqualify eligible Gold Star family members from receiving benefits. The Adjutant General is tasked with overseeing the program, including budget requests for necessary funding and the acceptance of donations or grants. Applicants must submit proof of their relationship to the deceased service member, confirm the service member's active duty status at the time of death, and provide annual proof of New Jersey residency. The Adjutant General will also handle appeals regarding eligibility determinations, ensuring that the program is effectively administered.