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Committee advances bill requiring 5% set‑aside for central nonprofit agency to boost disability employment

Assembly State and Local Government Committee · February 19, 2026

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Summary

A3503, a committee substitute, was substituted and released after testimony from Access New Jersey, Inroads Opportunities and ARC Ocean County arguing a 5% procurement set‑aside, stronger data/reporting, training for purchasing agents and a CNA right of first refusal would create predictable demand and hundreds of jobs for New Jerseyans with disabilities.

The Assembly State and Local Government Committee substituted and released A3503, a procurement reform that would require public entities to direct 5% of certain purchases to a designated central nonprofit agency (CNA), set training requirements for purchasing agents and grant the CNA a right of first refusal on applicable contracts.

Witnesses from Access New Jersey, Inroads Opportunities and ARC Ocean County testified in support. Jacob Kaplan (Access New Jersey) described the CNA’s current rehabilitation facility set‑aside program as the state’s largest disability employment program, saying it helped create nearly 2,000 jobs and generated about 750,000 labor hours last year. Cindy Walsh Rensler (Inroads Opportunities) and Laura Williams (ARC Ocean County) told the committee that the existing 2022 'good faith effort' standard has not produced consistent results and that a 5% requirement and improved reporting and training would create reliable contracting opportunities for people with disabilities.

Supporters asked that cooperative purchasing practices be clarified and that the CNA be given a clearer path to compete for routine government work. Committee members voiced support, and a motion to substitute and release the bill passed by roll call.

The committee did not provide a fiscal estimate during the hearing; proponents and members discussed implementation questions including data reporting, training logistics and how cooperative purchasing agreements would be handled.