10 New NJ Laws That Could Impact You In 2024

NEW JERSEY ? As 2023 comes to an end, there are a variety of new laws signed over the year that could impact you in the New Year.

The laws range from supporting first-generation homebuyers, not needing a prescription for birth control, and requiring flood risk notifications.

Here's some of the laws to keep an eye on:

Protecting Interracial Marriage In New Jersey

This legislation, signed on Sept. 5, affirms that anyone can marry, or enter into a civil union with, someone of any race in New Jersey.

New Jersey has never had a law on the books preventing people of different races from getting married. So though this law may seem like a formality, Gov. Phil Murphy said it is important for the state to protect this right, in case the United States Supreme Court overturns the 1967 Loving v. Virginia ruling that protects interracial marriage on a federal level.

"As our country faces an era of uncertainty regarding the basic principles of equality and personal freedom, it is critical that we protect interracial marriage in New Jersey statutory law," Murphy said, mentioning the high court's reversal of Roe v. Wade last year.

Expanding the Safe Haven Infant Protection Act

New Jersey's Safe Haven law allows a parent, or someone acting on behalf of a parent, to surrender a baby they do not want or cannot take care of without any consequences, provided the child is healthy and cared for. Gov. Murphy signed a bill Sept. 1 that expands the act, allowing workers at New Jersey general hospitals to accept a surrendered infant.

The newly-signed bill clarifies that parents (or a representative) will now also be able to leave their child at a licensed general hospital after giving birth there, if the parent(s) indicates that they do not plan to return for their infant. It also provides hospital employees the same civil and criminal immunity that police officers, firefighters, and rescue squad members have when accepting a surrendered infant.

Parents may also anonymously surrender a baby under 30 days of age to staff at emergency rooms, police stations, fire stations, or ambulance and rescue squads which are open 24/7. The infant must be free of injury or neglect.

Four infants have been surrendered at Safe Haven sites so far in 2023, state data shows. One of the bill's sponsors, Sen. Kristin Corrado (R-NJ-40), said any parent who feels unprepared to care for their newborn "should be aware of the life-saving options that are available for their infant child."

"Giving parents more options to safely surrender their newborn after birth not only protects more infants from otherwise dangerous or deadly situations, but it also prevents parents from being prosecuted as well," Corrado said in a statement.

Since August 2000, close to 90 infants have been surrendered safely to a Safe Haven site in New Jersey, according to the state Department of Children and Families.

Firefighters? Chaplain Bill

Firehouses around the state have more flexibility to appoint one or more ordained members of the clergy as chaplains, and will be able to decide job parameters for chaplains ? including whether or not they have a rank and salary.

Officials said this will increase opportunities for towns to bring someone in to this critical role, and tailor the chaplain position for their own communities.

"The bill also codifies job protections for any chaplain employed prior to the bill?s enactment; they cannot be dismissed, nor can their salary be diminished, except for specified causes," the governor's office said.

Senate President Nicholas Scutari, who was acting as governor at the time, signed this bill Aug. 28. It will go into effect seven months after enactment, unless the Commissioner of Community Affairs takes action to move the date.

?Chaplains provide an invaluable service for local fire departments and the communities they serve," Scutari said upon signing the bill. ?They support the men and women who put their lives on the line when protecting the safety of the residents. This law enables local government to appoint fire chaplains that meet their needs without undue expense.?

Protecting Veterans From Exploitation

This bill could bring stiff penalties to scammers who target New Jersey military veterans, officials said. It adds certain standards for people who ask for payment, in exchange for helping veterans and their families access their benefits.

The legislation requires individuals to make clear if they are affiliated with state or federal veterans agencies. Violators would face penalties under the state?s Consumer Fraud Act, including attorney fees and damages triple the amount of loss.

Gov. Murphy signed this bill Aug. 25, and it went into effect immediately.

?Our veterans put their lives on the line in service to our country and have more than earned the benefits for which they and their loved ones are eligible," Murphy said. ?We must protect veterans and their families from unscrupulous individuals who would take advantage of them by overcharging for assistance with those benefits. This legislation will help ensure these bad actors either follow all applicable federal standards or face the consequences.?

No Prescription Needed For Birth Control Pills

Gov. Phil Murphy signed S-275/A- 4149, which allows New Jersey pharmacists to dispense ?self-administered hormonal contraceptives? to patients without requiring a prescription. Read its full text here.

?Patients are typically unable to access self-administered hormonal contraceptives, including contraceptive pills, patches and rings, in New Jersey without first obtaining a prescription from a licensed health care provider. To reduce barriers to access to this critical family planning tool, the bill requires the issuance of a standing order authorizing pharmacists to furnish self-administered hormonal contraceptives to patients without an individual prescription and identifying the contraceptives that pharmacists are authorized to dispense," said Murphy.

Access to contraception without a prescription will not be limited solely to New Jersey residents; pharmacists will be permitted to provide these contraceptives to patients regardless of where they live.

In order to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives to patients without a prescription under the bill, pharmacists will have to follow standardized procedures and protocols adopted jointly by the Board of Pharmacy and the State Board of Medical Examiners and complete a training program.

Requiring flood risk notifications

Landlords and property sellers have to tell prospective buyers if the home they?re offering has a history of flooding, flood risk, or is located in a flood zone or area.

The law (bills A4783/S3110) also requires landlords to notify tenants if renters? insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance program. Murphy and the bill's sponsors, Sen. Bob Smith (D-NJ-17) and Assemblyman John McKeon (D-NJ-27), said this law increases transparency for New Jersey consumers and allows them to make more informed choices about where they live.

?We have seen increased flooding in New Jersey from severe weather and too often residents are unaware they are living in flood zones,? said McKeon. ?Mandating disclosure of flood risks will protect consumers. When home buyers and renters are informed they are living in an area prone to flooding, they can purchase flood insurance to protect their property, giving them peace of mind.?

Expanding school employee sick leave

Another new law expands how school employees can use their sick leave. District employees can now use sick leave to recover from a physical or mental illness; care for a seriously ill member of the family; take up to seven bereavement days for the death of an immediate family member; attend school-related conferences, meetings, functions, or other events for their child, or because of circumstances related to sexual or domestic violence.

Previously, New Jersey school district employees could only take sick leave because of personal illness, injury, or disability or because they were ordered to quarantine by health officials. Supporters of the legislation (bills A5060/S3440) said the new law will help Garden State educators feel more supported, and be able to take time off to care for their families.

?Allowing teachers to use their sick time to care for their loved ones or their children is the right thing to do. No teacher should have to miss a parent-teacher conference for their own child, or be unable to take bereavement leave,? said Assemblywoman Velerina Reynolds-Jackson (D-NJ-15). ?We need to support our teachers, who are devoted to and always there for our children.?

Eliminating public defender service fees

The law eliminates any fees, liens, and warrants issued for public defender services in the state. It applies retroactively to outstanding costs, unpaid civil judgments, property liens, and warrants. Public defender clients were previously charged fees starting at $150, and Murphy?s budget allocated $4 million to implement the bill.

Supporters of the measure (bills A5587/S3771) said that people needing a public defender do not always have the means to pay these fines, so this law makes the criminal justice system more equitable. The state?s Wealth Disparity Task Force led the effort to eliminate public defender fees, according to Murphy?s office.

?The right to an attorney should be a universal right for those who are navigating our criminal justice system,? Murphy said upon signing the legislation. ?For too long, we have witnessed many residents suffer from the steep prices of a public defender, many times causing them to go into debt just to cover their legal fees, and disproportionately affecting people of color. The elimination of these fees gives them the chance to defend themselves against charges without worry of their finances.?

$80M Urban Preservation Program established

An $80 million investment of federal funds will be used to preserve affordable housing in urban areas, according to the governor?s office. Bills A5596 and S3991 established an Urban Preservation Program within the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, which will focus on investing in rehabilitation and construction projects in these urban communities.

Supporting first-generation homebuyers

Bills A5415 and S3780 expanded the state?s First Generation Homebuyer Down Payment and Assistance Program, which provides up to a $15,000 loan for qualified homebuyers. This law also establishes a Resilient Home Construction Pilot Program within the Department of Community Affairs, which funds developers to rehabilitate existing homes and to build new, affordable homes for sale.

? With reporting by Michelle Rotuno-Johnson and Eric Kiefer