New Jersey would create a census office and outreach commission

New Jersey would form a 29-member commission to plan and help run census outreach. The commission would work to count everyone in New Jersey, with a plan to reach groups often missed. Its plan would include school programs, community partnerships, information in several languages, and at least three public hearings across the state. The first commission would form within 60 days after the law takes effect. Each commission would end on December 31 of its census year.

The Department of State would set up an office to coordinate census work and prepare population estimates. The office would work on counts of New Jersey residents and provide information in languages residents can use. The office would help run state-funded outreach grants for local governments and nonprofits.

The state would put $1 million from its general fund into a census trust fund each year. The Department of State would use the money for state, local, and community efforts to count New Jersey residents. The yearly funding would begin when the bill takes effect, which it says would happen immediately if enacted.