February 24, 2025 - New Jersey State Policy Updates
New Jersey State Policy Lab
Assisting the state of New Jersey in the design, implementation, and evaluation of state policies and programs.
Public Administration
Lawmakers Advance Multiple Bills to Strengthen State Firearm Restrictions - On February 20th, the Assembly Judiciary Committee advanced ten bills to tighten firearm regulations. The bills would criminalize reckless firearm discharge, possession of digital files for 3D-printing guns, and possession or sale of machine gun conversion devices. One bill would expand firearm bans for individuals convicted of domestic violence to include ammunition and gun accessories. Another proposal requires credit card companies to flag purchases of firearms and ammunition. A separate bill aims to create state procurement practices for firearms, ammunition, and accessories. Additionally, several other bills focus on reforming policing and judicial processes and enhancing the documentation of shootings and identification of machine gun conversion devices. Proponents of the measures, including Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Union County Students Demand Action, contended that many of the bills are necessary to combat gun violence. Opponents, including the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, the National Rifle Association, and the Civil Liberties Policy Research Center, argued that many of the measures are misguided and unnecessarily infringe on the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
Lawmakers Move Forward with Bill Mandating Heat Protections for Workers - On February 20th, the Assembly Labor Committee advanced Bill A5022, which mandates heat protections for workers, along party lines with an 8-4 vote. The bill would direct the state labor commissioner to establish a heat stress standard, restricting the exposure of employees to extreme heat to no more than 85 degrees. It would also require employers to limit work hours, provide paid breaks, and ensure access to cool water during extreme heat conditions. Supporters, including activists and union workers, contended the measure is necessary to protect workers against extreme, rising temperatures. Some small businesses and business organizations opposed the measure, arguing the requirements are burdensome and costly.
Bill Redesigning Election Ballots Advances in Senate Committee - On February 20th, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced Bill S4142, which would establish new design rules for primary election ballots. The bill would require the use of office-block ballots and replace the previous county line design, which a federal judge ruled unconstitutional in March 2024.? However, the Senate version differs from the Assembly version of the bill passed in December 2024. The notable changes include eliminating a requirement for all ballots to use a uniform font and adding a requirement that each candidate be assigned a letter and number combination, such as A1, A2, B1, or B2. Advocates, Assembly candidates, and organizations, including the League of Women Voters of New Jersey and the New Jersey Working Families Party, criticized the changes, arguing they would clutter ballots, confuse voters, and grant candidates electoral advantages based on ballot placement.
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Education
Governor Murphy Proposes $3 Million to Support School Cellphone Bans Following Senate Advancement - On February 19th, Governor Phil Murphy announced a $3 million allocation in his annual budget proposal to help school districts purchase pouches for storing student cellphones. This initiative is part of a statewide effort to restrict cellphone use in schools and comes after Bill S3695 unanimously passed the Senate on February 14th, which would require schools to adopt policies restricting cellphone and social media use during the school day.