New Jersey Bills

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jan 23, 2025

S 715: Requires AG to establish rape kit tracking system.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an internet-based tracking system for rape kits (also called sexual assault forensic evidence kits). The system will allow victims, law enforcement officers, healthcare providers, and labs to monitor a kit's journey from collection at a medical facility through testing and final disposal. It mandates the Attorney General to issue guidelines for this tracking system, ensuring transparency in the chain of custody. The law, which became effective in January 2025, directly affects victims of sexual assault, healthcare facilities, law enforcement, and forensic labs handling these kits.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D) Renee Burgess (D) Michele Matsikoudis (R) Annette Quijano (D) Paul Moriarty (D) · 24 co-sponsors

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2025

A 1476: Establishes "New Jersey Target Zero Commission."

This bill establishes the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" within the Department of Transportation, consisting of 13 state agency representatives (including Transportation, Health, and Public Safety officials). The commission’s primary duty is to develop a statewide action plan by 2040 aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries through engineering, education, and enforcement strategies focused on equitable road safety for all users. Key mechanisms include creating a public data portal for crash statistics, requiring annual public hearings and reports to the Governor and Legislature, and advising on policy changes to support safer transportation infrastructure. The commission must adopt its action plan within 12 months of the bill’s effective date and host public feedback sessions before finalizing it. This is a procedural bill creating a study body, not a direct policy change.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jan 6, 2025

S 3969: Extends economic recovery term under "Municipal Rehabilitation and Economic Recovery Act."

This bill extends the "economic recovery term" under New Jersey's Municipal Rehabilitation and Economic Recovery Act (MRERA) from 15 to 20 years for qualified municipalities. The economic recovery term is the period following the chief operating officer's term during which special governance procedures and economic benefits remain in place. This extension directly affects municipalities that have been under financial distress, such as the City of Camden, which is specifically cited as needing additional time to achieve fiscal stability. The bill maintains the special oversight measures and economic incentives established under MRERA during this extended period to support municipal financial rehabilitation.

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Dec 31, 2024

A 5152: Reschedules June 2025 primary election date; provides for adjustment of certain election related deadlines.

This bill reschedules New Jersey's June 2025 primary election from June 3 to June 10, 2025, to accommodate a religious observance. It adjusts most election-related deadlines to align with the new June 10 date, but keeps specific deadlines - such as those for nominating petitions, ballot position drawing, and mailing vote-by-mail ballots - tied to the original June 3 date. The Secretary of State must notify county clerks, election boards, and the public within seven days of the bill's effective date and publish a revised election calendar. This change directly affects all voters, candidates, and election officials participating in New Jersey's 2025 primary election cycle.

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Dec 31, 2024

A 5151: Allows public bodies to continue using newspapers for required public notices and legal advertisements until certain specified date regardless of format.*

This bill extends New Jersey's requirement that public bodies (like municipalities and school districts) may use newspapers for official public notices and legal advertisements - such as meeting schedules, bid solicitations, or ordinance publications - through March 1, 2025. It allows newspapers to be used regardless of format (print or digital) during this period, without charging extra fees for viewing digital notices or exceeding existing publication rates. The law ensures continuity for public notice requirements that previously had a deadline, covering both physical and electronic newspaper formats. It applies specifically to notices required under state law for public transparency.

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Dec 31, 2024

A 3853: Extends certain pay parity regarding telemedicine and telehealth until July 1, 2026.*

This bill extends New Jersey's existing telemedicine pay parity law, requiring health insurance plans to pay providers the same rate for telehealth services as in-person visits for covered services. It applies to all health benefits plans in New Jersey (including Medicaid and private insurers) and affects providers delivering telehealth care. The extension, now ending December 31, 2025 (previously 2024), maintains the requirement that telehealth reimbursement equals in-person rates for covered services, excluding audio-only visits (which receive 50% of in-person rates) and behavioral health services (which receive full in-person rates). This is a procedural extension of an existing policy, not a new mandate.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Jersey · Senate Dec 27, 2024

S 2864: Establishes working hours for certain minors employed as professional athletes.*

This bill sets specific working hour limits for minors (ages 14-15) employed as professional athletes by national sports associations, leagues, or teams in New Jersey. It permits such minors to work after 11 p.m. only if the shift continues a workday starting before 11 p.m., with a written parental or guardian permission letter specifying allowed hours. The bill prohibits employment after 3 a.m. or before 6 a.m. on days preceding a regular school day. These rules apply only to professional athletic employment, not other minor work types covered under existing labor laws. The changes take immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Dec 12, 2024

A 4043: Redirects portion of worker's unemployment compensation trust fund contribution to unemployment compensation administration fund.*

This bill redirects a portion of worker contributions from the unemployment compensation trust fund to the unemployment compensation administration fund. Currently, workers contribute 0.3825% of wages to the trust fund, which funds unemployment benefits. The bill would reduce this to 0.3625% for the trust fund while directing 0.0200% of wages to the administration fund instead. This reallocation aims to address chronic underfunding in the administration fund, which handles system operations but lacks sufficient resources. The change would take effect for wages paid on or after January 1, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · New Jersey · Senate Dec 12, 2024

S 3611: Provides grant to study and map mental health care resources for children; makes appropriation.

S 3611 allocates $1 million to the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute to study and map mental health care access for children. The bill requires creating a visual journey map of the steps families take to access services, identifying eligibility rules, financial barriers, and disparities by race/ethnicity. It mandates stakeholder input from providers, administrators, and families across northern, central, and southern NJ regions. The institute must submit two reports within 13 months: one mapping the care journey and another summarizing barriers, disparities, and policy recommendations for improving pediatric mental health services. This study directly affects children and families seeking mental health care in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · New Jersey · Senate Dec 12, 2024

S 871: Establishes eligibility for enrollment in PERS and subsequent retirement benefits for certain county fire instructors under certain conditions.

This bill (S 871, now P.L.2024, c.97) grants retirement eligibility to certain county fire instructors in New Jersey. It allows eligible individuals - those who were enrolled in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) before November 1, 2008, employed by a county on the bill’s effective date, maintained continuous membership, earned over $1,500 annually, and held permanent career status - to receive service credit for their tenure and qualify for retirement benefits. It also reinstates membership for those whose PERS coverage was terminated within five years prior to the bill’s effective date, provided they repay any returned contributions. The law takes effect immediately, directly impacting qualifying county fire instructors who previously lacked full retirement eligibility under PERS.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · New Jersey · Senate Dec 12, 2024

S 1433: Designates bridge over Crosswicks Creek on Interstate Highway Route 295 North as "Benjamin Moore and the 693rd Sapper Company Memorial Highway."

This bill designates a specific bridge over Crosswicks Creek on Interstate Highway Route 295 North (between Bordentown and Hamilton townships) as the "Benjamin Moore and the 693rd Sapper Company Memorial Highway." It honors Army Specialist Benjamin Moore, who died in Afghanistan in 2011, and his unit, the 693rd Sapper Company, recognizing Moore's military service and community emergency response work in New Jersey. The bill explicitly prohibits using state or public funds for the memorial signs, requiring private donations or grants to cover all associated costs for producing, installing, and maintaining the signage.

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · New Jersey · Senate Dec 12, 2024

SJR 71: Designates first week of May of each year as Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week.

SJR 71 designates the first full week of May each year as "Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week" in New Jersey to honor veterans who sustained physical or mental injuries while serving. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation encouraging public awareness and support for wounded veterans adjusting to civilian life. It does not create new programs or funding but formally recognizes the challenges faced by veterans, including those with combat-related stress, depression, or traumatic brain injuries. This ceremonial designation applies statewide and became law in December 2024.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Bill results