It’s a new year, New Jersey. And that means we’re getting some new laws.
Beginning this year, state-regulated health insurance companies will have to decide more quickly — within 24 hours and 72 hours — whether they will cover a test or treatment recommended by a patient’s doctor.
Anyone under 21 learning to drive will have to put in 50 hours of practice behind the wheel before they get a license in the state.
And real estate appraisers here will undergo anti-bias training and be prohibited from considering race, religion and other personal factors when establishing the value of a home.
These are some of the laws scheduled to take effect in early 2025 that likely will affect millions of New Jerseyans in big ways and small. The state Legislature passed them and Gov. Phil Murphy or Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way signed them into law over the last two years. But some didn’t take effect right away because state government needs time to implement them.
Here’s the rundown:
Reining in the pre-authorization process for health insurance companies
Insurance carriers will have tighter deadline in the state to decide whether to approve a prescribed test, medication or treatment — 24 hours for “urgent” requests and 72 hours for non-urgent requests. A prior authorization for treatment of a long-term or chronic condition shall remain valid for 180 days.
If an insurance carrier denies or limits a physician’s request, the law requires the physician who denied the treatment must belong to the same medical speciality as the doctor who would typically manage this condition under the law.
People who switch health plans will receivie care under the old plan’s prior authorization for 60 days, according to the legislation (A1255).
“For years patients have had to endure the hardship of being left in the breach when they seek vital care only to have their access to that care interrupted by what all too often seems to be an onerous and draconian process,” Assemblyman Sterley Stanley, D-Middlesex, one of the legislation’s sponsors, said after it passed the 80-member lower house.
“This bill addresses that reality and will not only provide patients with more efficient access to care, but does so in a way that does not jeopardize the ability of insurance carriers and pharmacy benefit managers fulfill their responsibility to be good financial stewards of the care they are entrusted with managing.”
The law affects state-regulated insurance plans only, which are held by about one-third of the state’s population. The State Health Benefits Program and the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program are examples of covered plans. Companies that are self-insured are regulated by the federal government are not bound by the law.
Effective date: Jan. 1.
Rookie drivers must log 50 hours of time behind the wheel
Nearly two years ago, Murphy signed a law (S2789) to require young drivers in New Jersey who hold special learner’s permits to spend at least 50 hours behind the wheel before they get their probationary license.
Parents or guardians would have to keep track of the hours and attest to the State Division of Motor Vehicles the driver has fulfilled the requirements, which include 10 hours of night driving.
State Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez, D-Camden, one of the prime sponsors, said most states already require a minimum number of hours behind the wheel. New Jersey has been putting “our roads and our children at needless risk,” she said.
State Sen. Gordon Johnson, D-Bergen, also a sponsor, noted that in 2019, there were 30,000 drivers under age 21 who were involved in auto accidents in 2019, with 7,000 resulting in death or injuries, he said.
“This bill will reduce that, and save the lives of motorists across the state,” Johnson said.
Effective date: Feb. 2
Sexual assault victims must receive timely updates from investigators
Responding to victims’ rights groups and survivors of sexual assault who say they have felt out of the loop on the criminal investigations, this new law requires specific updates involving DNA collection in the state.
The law (S1017) will now require investigators to notify survivors if the DNA profile of an assailant was obtained from the processing of evidence, whether that evidence has been entered into any data bank, whether there is a DNA match, and whether the DNA is shared with a forensic lab in search of a match.
“This crucial legislation guarantees that survivors of sexual assault are updated with necessary information throughout the legal process of their case,” said state Sen. Declan O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth, one of the prime sponsors. “With this law in place, we are empowering survivors and ensuring that our criminal justice system is more responsive to their needs.”
The new law expands the Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights, which included a requirement that any forensic medical evidence be retained for a minimum of five years, and for survivors to receive information about the status of the evidence upon request.
“Victims of sexual violence deserve to be kept up-to-date and aware of all major developments in the investigation of their case, both for their peace of mind and for their safety,” said Sen. Linda Greenstein, D-Middlesex, chairwoman of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee and a prime sponsor.
Effective date: Jan. 1
Real estate appraisers must complete anti-bias training
Taking aim at systemic racism in the real estate marketplace, licensed appraisers in New Jersey must complete an anti-bias training program to renew their licenses.
The law (A2280) declares it illegal for appraisers to use personal factors including race, religion, sexual orientation and the nation origin of the sellers or buyers to diminish the value of a home.
This discriminatory practice has gone on for far too long, hurting the ability to amass wealth and pass it on to future generations, said Laura Sullivan, director of the Economic Justice Program at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.
“With homeownership being one of the most important ways that families build wealth, proactive steps towards reducing racial disparities in homeownership are crucial for closing the racial wealth gap and moving us toward equity,” Sullivan said when Acting Gov. Tahesha Way signed the law in September.
“For far too long, systems were in place that would perpetuate racial bias,” Way said. “With this bill, we will ensure that personal biases don’t influence appraisers.”
Effective date: March 8.
New moms must be presented with a postpartum plan
With one out of five mothers developing a mood disorder during or after pregnancy, health care professionals must now develop an individualized postpartum treatment plan for their patients in the state.
The law (S912), which Murphy signed last month, says the plan would include notes about any of the patient’s pregnancy complications and recommended follow-ups, guidance outlining symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety and advice regarding breastfeeding.
The plan would be given to all patients being discharged at the end of a pregnancy, including those who have experienced a stillbirth or miscarriage.
“By requiring health care professionals to provide information about personalized postpartum care plans, we are empowering mothers to prioritize their health and well-being during and after pregnancy,” said state Sen. Kristin Corrado, R-Bergen, one of the bill’s sponsors. “This new law will directly help reduce preventable pregnancy-related mortality and enhance women’s healthcare overall.”
Effective date: May 17.
The minimum wage will rise again
Minimum wage workers in New Jersey will get another raise in the new year. They will be paid $15.49 per hour, a 36-cent increase.
Employees who work on a farm for an hourly or piece-rate wage will be paid $13.40 an hour up from $12.81.
Long-term care facility direct care staff will see their minimum hourly wage rise by 36 cents, to $18.49 an hour.
The minimum hourly wage for seasonal and small business workers.these employees will increase to $14.53 on, up from $13.73.
The raises are part of a 2019 law that raised the wage to $15, then baked in additional raises based on the consumer price index.
Effective: Jan. 1.
NJ Advance Media staff writer Jackie Roman contributed to this report.
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Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on X @SusanKLivio.
