New laws for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware coming in 2025
The countdown to the New Year is in full swing, which means new state laws are just days from going into effect.
From health care to wage increases, here are some bills that were signed into law for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, starting January 1, 2025:
Pennsylvania
Lawmaker pay raise
More than 1,300 state lawmakers, judges and top executive branch officials in Pennsylvania will get a 3.4 percent salary increase under a state law that guarantees automatic pay raises. Gov. Shapiro’s salary will rise to nearly $246,000. That puts him in line to be the second-highest paid governor in 2025, behind only New York's governor, according to the Associated Press.
Safe havens
Urgent care centers and health care providers will be included in Pennsylvania's Safe Haven law. It allows newborn children to be surrendered to public safety authorities and health care workers without punishment.
Expanded access to doulas
New Medicaid coverage will include reimbursing doulas for childbirth education and support services during pregnancy, labor and delivery and up to one year postpartum.
Biomarker cancer testing
Biomarker testing for cancer will be covered by all health insurance plans regulated by Pennsylvania, including Medicaid.
New Jersey
Minimum wage
New Jersey's statewide minimum wage will increase for most employees by $0.36 to $15.49 per hour.
Rights of sexual assault victims
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.
Delaware
Abortion insurance
Abortions, along with related health care, will be covered by insurance starting January 1, 2025, for Medicaid and January 1, 2026, for most private and state-regulated insurance plans.
Paid leave
Certain employees can receive up to 80 percent of their wages to cover care for a new child or family member with serious health conditions, a serious personal health condition or injury, or assisting while loved ones are overseas for military deployment.