This bill mandates the automatic enrollment of eligible individuals and households into utility bill payment assistance programs, specifically targeting those receiving ongoing assistance through various needs-based public assistance programs. The Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of the Treasury are required to collaborate with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), and other relevant state agencies to create a memorandum of understanding. This agreement will facilitate the sharing of information regarding recipients of programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Work First New Jersey, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, enabling these agencies to identify and enroll eligible households into utility assistance programs like the Universal Service Fund, the Winter Termination Program, and the Summer Termination Program.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the DCA, BPU, and other state agencies must review eligibility criteria and recipient data to ensure proper enrollment into these assistance programs. It explicitly states that households will not be automatically enrolled in programs that offer one-time grants or limited-use assistance. The bill is set to take effect six months after its enactment, although agencies may begin preparations for the necessary memoranda and regulations prior to this date.