NEW JERSEY — A number of new laws will take effect in the Garden State in 2025, addressing topics such as medical debt, education requirements and consumer data protection.
Patch looked at seven laws that could impact your life in the new year. Not all of them go into effect on January 1, so here’s a look at what these laws entail and when they will take effect.
Expanding the Rights of Survivors of Sexual Assault – January 1
The bipartisan measure is an update to the state’s “Sexual Assault Victims’ Bill of Rights,” in effect since 2019, and requires law enforcement agencies to provide more information to victims of sexual assault.
It gives victims the right to be informed of certain developments in criminal cases, including whether an attacker’s DNA profile is obtained during evidence processing and whether sexual assault evidence is submitted to a forensic laboratory .
Teacher certification – January 1
This law will eliminate the state’s requirement for certain teachers to take a test of their basic reading, writing, and math skills (the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators) before becoming certified.
The sponsors of the bill and certain educational groups said it simplifies the path to teacher certification, addressing the shortage of educators in New Jersey classrooms. Teachers may still be required to take specialized assessments in their field.
Data Protection Act – January 15
This law requires website owners and online providers to inform consumers about the collection and distribution of their personal data and give them the right to object to both.
Website operators are also prohibited from retaliating against users who opt out of the sale of their information, and the law requires consent before processing the personal data of children aged 13 to 16.
Postpartum Health Care Planning – May 18
Health care providers will be required to develop a postpartum care plan with pregnant women and new mothers, advise them on problems that may arise after childbirth, and help them follow the follow-up appointment.
The health care plan will also include information about recognizing the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression, recommended tests or procedures, and breastfeeding support services.
Pay transparency – June 1
Under this law, companies are required to disclose salary and benefit information when posting job openings and transfer opportunities, and also to make “reasonable efforts” to publicize opportunities. promotion both inside and outside the company before making a decision.
The law applies to all employers with more than 10 employees and provides for a fine for companies that do not provide applicants with information about potential salary.
Medical Debt Relief – July 1
New protections will come into effect under the “Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act“, capping interest on medical debt at 3 percent per year and prohibiting collectors from taking money from low-income workers’ wages.
Also starting in July, all notices sent to patients regarding their medical debt and billing must include information about these new consumer protections.
“Freedom to Read Act” – December 9
This measure establishes requirements for school boards and library boards to adopt policies describing how to remove books from school libraries, if someone objects to the books or other materials. It also reaffirms the legal protection of librarians against criminal and civil suits that parents or community members might bring.
