New Laws in NJ: Gov. Murphy Signs Health Care, Social Work, and Military Service Credit Bills into Law

The legislative actions include new protocols for step therapy, interstate licensure for social workers, and expanded pension credits for military and law enforcement academy service.

TRENTON, NJ — Governor Phil Murphy signed a series of bills into law on May 8, 2025, addressing health care protocols, professional licensure, public safety service recognition, and regulation in mortuary sciences. Two additional bills were conditionally vetoed, pending legislative revisions.

Signed into Law:

• ACS for A-1825 / SCS for S-3533 (Verrelli/McKnight, Bramnick) - Establishes statewide guidelines for step therapy protocols within the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP), and Medicaid. The bill aims to streamline patient access to necessary treatments by regulating how insurers implement step therapy, a practice that requires patients to try lower-cost medications before progressing to more expensive alternatives.

• A-2813 / S-2688 (Greenwald, Reynolds-Jackson, Speight / McKnight, Gopal) - Authorizes New Jersey to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling social workers licensed in member states to practice across state lines. The move supports workforce mobility and aims to expand access to mental health and social services.

• ACS for A-3940 / SCS for S-1635 (Stanley, Schaer / Zwicker, Pou) - Revises the regulatory structure of mortuary science in New Jersey and establishes enhanced oversight for embalming and funeral services. The legislation introduces updates to professional requirements and disciplinary frameworks in the industry.

• A-4751 / S-3606 (DeAngelo, Quijano, Bagolie / Diegnan, A.M. Bucco) - Expands eligibility for pension service credit in the State Police Retirement System (SPRS) to include time spent in military service academies, the New Jersey State Police Academy, and employment as a class two special law enforcement officer. This addresses concerns about service gaps affecting retirement benefits for individuals transitioning into law enforcement careers.

• ACS for AJR-211 / SCS for SJR-149 (Reynolds-Jackson, Sumter, Carter / Turner, Burgess) - Designates May 18 of each year as "Six Triple Eight Day" in New Jersey. The day commemorates the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—the only all-Black, all-female U.S. Army battalion to serve overseas during World War II.

Conditionally Vetoed:

• A-4535 / S-2952 (Hutchison, Verrelli, Atkins / Moriarty, Mukherji) - Concerns state oversight of cooperative sober living residences and boarding houses, and includes a $100,000 appropriation. Governor Murphy issued a conditional veto, requesting amendments to clarify regulatory responsibilities and ensure consistent safety standards.

• A-4652 / S-3507 (Hutchison, Murphy / Moriarty, Wimberly) - Would establish a new criminal offense for inciting a public brawl and elevate penalties for disorderly conduct under certain circumstances. The conditional veto statement cited the need to refine definitions and prevent potential overreach in enforcement.