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Rights of sexual assault victims
New Jersey’s “Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights” will be expanded in 2025, requiring sexual assault victims to be notified if a DNA profile of an assailant is obtained from evidence in a case, or if a DNA profile of an assailant is entered into any data bank for retention or comparison of evidence. A sexual assault victim must also be notified if there is a match between the DNA profile of the assailant in their case to a profile contained in any data bank. The updated law also requires victims to be notified if evidence from their case is submitted to a forensic lab.
Teacher certification
A new law eliminates the requirement that a teacher candidate complete a basic skills test. 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. The idea is to increase the teacher pool in N.J.
Postpartum health care planning
In the spring of 2025, it will become mandatory for health care providers to create a postpartum care plan with new mothers and pregnant women. This review must include information about the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression, anxiety, breastfeeding support services, contraception options, upcoming future health care appointments and recommended testing or procedures for any ongoing health issues.
Salary transparency and opportunities
Starting June 1, companies in the Garden State will be required to make reasonable efforts to announce opportunities for promotion that are advertised internally, or externally to all current employees in the affected department prior to making a promotion decision. Salary information must also be disclosed.
Medical Debt Protections
Next summer additional protections that are part of New Jersey’s Medical Debt Relief Act will take effect, offering enhanced safeguards for consumers. Starting July 1, all notices to patients about medical debt and billing must inform them about their rights. Interest on medical debt will be capped at 3% and debt collectors are banned from garnishing wages of lower-income earners.