NEW JERSEY - New year means a new - and higher - paycheck for some employees working in New Jersey!
Starting on January 1, 2025, the statewide minimum wage will rise by $0.36 to $15.49 an hour as part of a 2019 bill signed by Gov. Phil Murphy to gradually increase pay for hourly workers.
For season employees, the minimum hourly wage will increase to $14.53, while the minimum cash rate for tipped workers will rise to $5.62 an hour.
However, the minimum wage increase is just one of several new laws going into effect next year in New Jersey:
Rights of sexual assault victims
Starting January 1, 2025, sexual assault victims can request to receive notification of certain developments, including the status of forensic evidence collected in connection to their case.
Teacher certification
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 as of January 1, 2025.
Pay transparency
Beginning June 1, 2025, New Jersey will require transparency concerning compensation for promotional opportunities and employment listings.
"An employer shall make reasonable efforts to announce, post, or otherwise make known opportunities for promotion that are advertised internally within the employer or externally on internet-based advertisements, postings, printed flyers, or other similar advertisements to all current employees in the affected department or departments of the employer’s business prior to making a promotion decision."
New laws for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware coming in 2025
From health care to wage increases, here are some bills that were signed into law for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, and take effect on January 1, 2025:
Data protection
New Jersey's Data Protection Act will require "certain entities" to notify consumers of the collection and disclosure of their personal data. It will take effect on January 15, 2024.
Freedom to read
The Freedom to Read Act will prevent "arbitrary" book banning by the end of next year, protecting the right of students, parents, and communities "to have free access to age-appropriate books and learning materials at schools and public libraries."
The act also provides protection for library staff members against civil and criminal lawsuits in connection to complying with the law.
Affordable housing
The "landmark" bill will support New Jersey towns in meeting their affordable housing obligations starting with the 2025 compliance period.
"The Department of Community Affairs will publish non-binding calculations of municipalities’ current and prospective need for affordable housing using a formula based on prior court decisions."