The bill (S2791) passed Monday (Dec. 22) on a vote of 35 to 1, according to the website of the New jersey State Legislature. It will now be considered by the State Assembly.

The state payments covered by the bill include unemployment benefits, tax ‍refunds, and payroll, according to the text of the bill.

The bill requires ‍that state employees be paid in the form of a paper check if they request it; that claimants of unemployment benefits be given the options of receiving payments via prepaid debit card,direct deposit,or paper check; and that taxpayers ⁣be given the option of receiving state tax refunds in the form of ⁣a paper check,according to the bill’s text.

Currently, unemployment⁤ benefits are issued only via prepaid debit card or direct deposit, with no option to ‍receive a paper check, per the bill’s text.

Sen. Kristin Corrado, one of the sponsors of the bill, said ‍in a Monday statement that the bill is ⁣about providing options. “Many residents,notably seniors,still prefer to receive a paper check,” Corrado said. “This bill ensures that ‍they have that option.”

Why this Matters: The Push for payment⁣ Choice

The⁤ move towards offering paper ‍checks as a payment option comes as many states have been phasing them out in favor of electronic methods like direct deposit and‍ prepaid debit ‍cards. While electronic payments offer convenience and can reduce administrative ⁤costs, they aren’t accessible to everyone