NJ S3888

Establishes the "New Jersey Low Income Household Water Assistance Program" to provide financial assistance for water and sewer services to households with income at or below 60% of New Jersey's median income

Provides five types of assistance: direct bill payments, help for renters who pay water costs indirectly, crisis intervention, water efficiency and plumbing repairs, and debt relief for past-due balances

Creates a non-lapsing fund with up to 10% permitted for administrative costs; the Department of Community Affairs must seek federal funding and may provide up to 3% of the annual budget to help smaller water systems administer the program

Public utilities, local authorities, and municipal utilities that refuse to participate in the program are prohibited from disconnecting residential customers for non-payment or placing/enforcing liens on their property; violations carry $500/day penalties for disconnections and $100 per instance for failing to advertise program eligibility

Appropriates $25 million from the General Fund and requires annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature on applications, approvals, participating utilities, and expenditures