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NJ Gov. Phil Murphy announces medical debt relief
NJ Gov. Phil Murphy announced he will spend $100 million to wipe out the medical debt of about 50,000 people living in New Jersey.
NEW JERSEY - Several new laws in New Jersey are taking effect in 2025, from pay transparency to minimum wage increases.
JUMP TO:
- Minimum wage increase
- Pay transparency
- Data Protection Act
- Freedom to Read Act
- Affordable housing
- Rights of sexual assault victims
- Teacher certification
Here's a look at some of them that could impact your life.
Minimum wage increase
New Jersey’s statewide minimum wage will be raised by $0.36 to $15.49 per hour for most employees on Jan. 1, 2025.
The increase was part of a scheduled hike stemming from a 2019 bill signed by NJ Gov. Phil Murphy. When Murphy took office back in 2018, the state’s minimum wage was $8.60 per hour.
Pay transparency
Beginning June 1, 2025, Bill S2310 will go into effect, which "requires transparency concerning compensation with promotional opportunities and in employment listings."
"An employer shall make reasonable efforts to announce, 8 post, or otherwise make known opportunities for promotion that are 9 advertised internally within the employer or externally on internet10 based advertisements, postings, printed flyers, or other similar 11 advertisements to all current employees in the affected department 12 or departments of the employer’s business prior to making a 13 promotion decision," the bill said.
Data Protection Act
The New Jersey Data Protection Act (NJDPA) will take effect on Jan. 15, 2025. The act "requires notification to consumers of collection and disclosure of personal data by certain entities."
Freedom to Read Act
The Freedom to Read Act "prevents arbitrary book banning and protects the rights of students, parents, and communities to have free access to age-appropriate books and learning materials at schools and public libraries."
The act also provides protection for library staff members against civil and criminal lawsuits related to complying with this law.
"The Freedom to Read Act cements New Jersey’s role on the forefront of preventing book bans and protecting the intellectual freedom of our educators and students. Across the nation, we have seen attempts to suppress and censor the stories and experiences of others. I’m proud to amplify the voices of our past and present, as there is no better way for our children to prepare for the future than to read freely," Murphy said in a press release.
Affordable housing
Back in March, Gov. Murphy signed affordable housing legislation to support towns in meeting their affordable housing obligations.
"Starting with the compliance period that begins in 2025, the Department of Community Affairs will publish non-binding calculations of municipalities’ current and prospective need for affordable housing using a formula based on prior court decisions," a press release said.
Rights of sexual assault victims
Sexual assault victims can request to receive notification of certain developments, including the status of forensic evidence collected in connection to their case.
Teacher certification
New Jersey's Board of Education will be prohibited from requiring certain teachers to complete a commissioner-approved test of basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills to become certified.