NJ State Policy Updates

Education Federal Mental Health Grant Cuts Threaten NJ School Services – Recent federal cuts of nearly $1 billion nationwide in school-based mental health grants will force New Jersey to prematurely end a statewide initiative focused on expanding access to mental health professionals in schools. The five-year, $15 million program provided services to over 40,000 students […]

Public Administration Murphy Issues Conditional Veto on Pop-Up Party Bill Over First Amendment Concerns – On May 8th, Governor Phil Murphy conditionally vetoed Bill SA4652, which would criminalize inciting public brawls and increase penalties for disorderly conduct. Murphy supports the bill’s intent to prevent public disturbances. However, he returned the bill to the Assembly, citing […]

Public Administration Lawmakers Consider Utility Reform Bills Ahead of Summer Rate Hikes – On May 5th, the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee held a hearing on several bills that aim to mitigate upcoming electricity rate increases. The proposed measures, scheduled to take effect in June, include requiring the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to return […]

Health New Jersey Establishes Public Health Institute – On April 22nd, Governor Phil Murphy signed Bill S3562 (P.L.2025, c.46.) into law, authorizing the Department of Health to designate a nonprofit Public Health Institute. This institute will coordinate public health initiatives among government agencies and providers, provide administrative and financial support to public, private, and community-based […]

Public Administration Appeal Filed in School Segregation Case – On April 15th, attorneys filed a motion asking a state appellate court to reconsider a lawsuit alleging the state has failed to address racial segregation in its public schools. The case, originally filed in 2018, argues that longstanding discriminatory housing policies have made New Jersey’s schools […]

Public Administration Assembly Committee Advances Bill Expanding Retirement Savings Access – On April 10th, the Assembly State and Local Government Committee unanimously advanced Bill A5358, which would expand eligibility for the RetireReady NJ program. The bill would require businesses with one or more employees to offer a retirement savings plan if no other option is […]

Public Administration Bill Criminalizing Deepfakes Becomes Law – On April 2nd, Governor Phil Murphy signed Bill A3540 (P.L.2025, c.40.) into law, criminalizing the creation or distribution of AI-generated media, commonly referred to as deepfakes, for unlawful purposes such as harassment or extortion. The law establishes penalties of up to five years in prison or $30,000 […]

Public Administration Both State Chambers Pass Bill Criminalizing Incitement of Public Brawls – On March 24th, both the Assembly and Senate unanimously approved Bill A4652, which would criminalize inciting a public brawl and increase penalties for disorderly conduct. Lawmakers argued the measure would help local authorities deter and respond more effectively to large, rapidly organized […]

Education Senate Committee Advances Bill Requiring Anti-Choking Devices in Schools – On March 17th, the Senate Education Committee unanimously voted to advance Bill S908, which would require all public and private schools to purchase and maintain FDA-registered portable anti-choking devices in certain areas, such as cafeterias and nurses’ offices. The state would reimburse states for […]

Education Assembly Committee Advances Bill Limiting School Cell Phone Use – On March 10th, the Assembly Education Committee unanimously advanced Bill S3695, requiring the Department of Education to develop guidelines for restricting school cell phone and social media use. School districts would then be required to adopt policies consistent with state guidelines. Supporters argued the […]

Public Administration Bill Redesigning Primary Election Ballots Becomes Law – On March 6th, Governor Phil Murphy signed Bill A5116 (P.L.2025, c.32.) into law, requiring the use of office-block ballots and eliminating the previous county line format, which a federal judge ruled unconstitutional in March 2024. While many advocacy groups praised the end of the county […]

Public Administration Governor Murphy Reveals Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Proposal – On February 25th, Governor Phil Murphy presented his final annual budget to the Legislature, proposing a $58.1 billion fiscal year 2026 budget. The spending plan proposes maintaining full funding for pension payments and increasing allocations for K-12 school aid and property tax relief, including the […]