This bill requires New Jersey cosmetology, barbering, and hair braiding schools to include training on textured hair (defined as coiled, curly, or wavy hair) in their existing curricula. The training must cover working with various coil, curl, and wave patterns, hair strand thickness, and hair volume. It also mandates that textured hair be included in both written and practical portions of licensure examinations for these professions. The requirement is to be integrated into current training without adding additional hours of instruction.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to allow licensed plumbing, electrical, and HVAC contractors to submit certain construction documents electronically for permit review, including subcode applications and supporting calculations. It specifically prohibits DCA from requiring physical signatures or seals on these contractors' subcode forms or site plans. The law applies only to documents related to electrical, fire protection, or energy subcodes for these specific contractor disciplines. This change aims to modernize the permitting process while maintaining the same regulatory standards for compliance.
This bill exempts health care professionals licensed in foreign nations from New Jersey's standard licensing requirements when providing medical services exclusively to athletes or team personnel affiliated with international teams participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The exemption applies only during the tournament period (June 1-July 31, 2026), covering services related to training and events leading up to and during the World Cup (June 11-July 19, 2026). It does not affect licensing for general practice in New Jersey or services outside this specific event. The policy aims to streamline medical support for participating teams without altering permanent licensing standards.
This New Jersey bill requires drivers to either change lanes or slow down when approaching stationary vehicles displaying warning lights, including public utility vehicles (and vehicles owned/leased by their employees or family members), emergency vehicles, tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, sanitation vehicles, and disabled vehicles. Drivers must move over if safe, or reduce speed below the limit and be prepared to stop if lane changes aren't possible. Violations carry fines of $100-$500, with two additional penalty points for three offenses within 12 months. The bill also mandates a public awareness campaign to inform drivers about these rules, the risks of non-compliance, and associated penalties.
This bill requires public colleges and universities in New Jersey that partner with sports gambling companies (e.g., through stadium advertising or promotional agreements) to establish gambling addiction prevention programs. Institutions must provide students with educational materials on responsible gambling and share hotline information for gambling support services. The required materials must be posted on campus websites and in high-traffic areas like dorms, libraries, and student centers. The law takes immediate effect and directly affects all public higher education institutions with such sports wagering partnerships.
This joint resolution designates July 30 of each year as "Brian Sicknick Day" in New Jersey to honor Officer Brian Sicknick, a U.S. Capitol Police officer who died protecting the Capitol on January 6, 2021. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation recognizing the day. The resolution commemorates Sicknick’s service, including his 12-year career with the Capitol Police and his New Jersey roots (born in New Brunswick, served in the NJ Air National Guard). As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect beyond recognition.
New Jersey's A5217, the "Ensuring Fairness in Cost-Sharing Amounts Act of 2024," requires health insurance carriers and pharmacy benefits managers to count third-party discounts and payments toward patients' out-of-pocket costs like copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. This means discounts from drug manufacturers, patient assistance programs, or other third parties must reduce what patients actually pay for covered health services, rather than being ignored by insurers. The bill prohibits insurers from using "accumulators" that would prevent these discounts from counting toward a patient's deductible. It applies to all health benefits plans in New Jersey and requires annual compliance certification from insurers and pharmacy benefits managers.
S 2019 allows New Jersey pharmacists to dispense HIV prevention medication (PrEP) and emergency HIV treatment (PEP) without a patient's individual prescription under specific conditions. Pharmacists must follow a standing order from the health commissioner, complete required training, and verify patient eligibility - including a recent negative HIV test, no acute symptoms, and no contraindicated medications - before dispensing up to a 90-day supply. The bill also mandates that health insurance plans cover these medications without prior authorization. This directly affects pharmacists (expanding their role), patients seeking HIV prevention (improving access), and insurers (requiring coverage).
The New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover medically necessary treatments for perimenopause and menopause to the same extent as coverage for other medical conditions. Covered treatments include hormonal therapies, non-hormonal medications, behavioral health services, pelvic floor physical therapy, bone health screenings and treatments, preventative services for related conditions like cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, and counseling. The law applies to all health insurance carriers in the state, including hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, and health maintenance organizations. Insurers must also provide clear information about covered treatments to policyholders. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment and applies to policies delivered, issued, executed, or renewed on or after that date.
This bill would allow New Jersey to join a multi-state compact enabling physician assistants (PAs) licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects PAs seeking to work across state lines and healthcare systems needing to recruit PAs more flexibly. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses ("Compact Privilege"), requirements for states to maintain criminal background checks and report disciplinary actions, and ensuring PAs practice under the jurisdiction of the state where the patient is located. The compact aims to improve access to medical services, particularly benefiting military families who relocate frequently.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) to create a statewide policy for K-12 schools within 90 days, addressing student cell phone and social media use during school hours, on buses, and at school events. The policy must include age-appropriate rules (like banning non-academic phone use in class), emergency exceptions, accommodations for students with special needs, and options for device storage. School districts must adopt a policy consistent with the DOE's framework by the start of the next full school year, though they may apply for exemptions. The bill directly affects all public K-12 schools, students, and staff across New Jersey, focusing on standardizing device use rules while allowing districts to implement stricter policies.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to create a public awareness campaign about doulas. It mandates the campaign to explain doulas' roles before, during, and after pregnancy; detail their services and research-supported benefits; and list free or low-cost doula resources. The campaign must provide materials in the top 10 languages spoken in New Jersey, available online and distributed through health clinics, WIC offices, Planned Parenthood locations, pharmacies, and community organizations. The goal is to increase public understanding and access to doula services for pregnant and postpartum individuals statewide.
