4 New Laws Take Effect In NJ This Month

NEW JERSEY — Several new laws are in effect this September in the Garden State. Recently- signed legislation includes codifying interracial marriage in the state, expanding “safe havens” for infants, protecting New Jersey veterans from being exploited by scammers, and giving towns more flexibility to appoint chaplains to their fire departments.

Here’s a closer look at some of the legislation signed into law in New Jersey in recent weeks.

Protecting Interracial Marriage In New Jersey

This legislation, signed on Sept. 5, affirms that anyone can marry, or enter into a civil union with, someone of any race in New Jersey.

New Jersey has never had a law on the books preventing people of different races from getting married. So though this law may seem like a formality, Gov. Phil Murphy said it is important for the state to protect this right, in case the United States Supreme Court overturns the 1967 Loving v. Virginia ruling that protects interracial marriage on a federal level.

"As our country faces an era of uncertainty regarding the basic principles of equality and personal freedom, it is critical that we protect interracial marriage in New Jersey statutory law," Murphy said, mentioning the high court's reversal of Roe v. Wade last year.

This bill takes effect immediately.

Expanding the Safe Haven Infant Protection Act

New Jersey's Safe Haven law allows a parent, or someone acting on behalf of a parent, to surrender a baby they do not want or cannot take care of without any consequences, provided the child is healthy and cared for. Gov. Murphy signed a bill Sept. 1 that expands the act, allowing workers at New Jersey general hospitals to accept a surrendered infant.

The newly-signed bill clarifies that parents (or a representative) will now also be able to leave their child at a licensed general hospital after giving birth there, if the parent(s) indicates that they do not plan to return for their infant. It also provides hospital employees the same civil and criminal immunity that police officers, firefighters, and rescue squad members have when accepting a surrendered infant.

This bill takes effect immediately.

Parents may also anonymously surrender a baby under 30 days of age to staff at emergency rooms, police stations, fire stations, or ambulance and rescue squads which are open 24/7. The infant must be free of injury or neglect.

Four infants have been surrendered at Safe Haven sites so far in 2023, state data shows. One of the bill's sponsors, Sen. Kristin Corrado (R-NJ-40), said any parent who feels unprepared to care for their newborn "should be aware of the life-saving options that are available for their infant child."

"Giving parents more options to safely surrender their newborn after birth not only protects more infants from otherwise dangerous or deadly situations, but it also prevents parents from being prosecuted as well," Corrado said in a statement.

Since August 2000, close to 90 infants have been surrendered safely to a Safe Haven site in New Jersey, according to the state Department of Children and Families.

Firefighters’ Chaplain Bill

Firehouses around the state have more flexibility to appoint one or more ordained members of the clergy as chaplains, and will be able to decide job parameters for chaplains — including whether or not they have a rank and salary.

Officials said this will increase opportunities for towns to bring someone in to this critical role, and tailor the chaplain position for their own communities.

"The bill also codifies job protections for any chaplain employed prior to the bill’s enactment; they cannot be dismissed, nor can their salary be diminished, except for specified causes," the governor's office said.

Senate President Nicholas Scutari, who was acting as governor at the time, signed this bill Aug. 28. It will go into effect seven months after enactment, unless the Commissioner of Community Affairs takes action to move the date.

“Chaplains provide an invaluable service for local fire departments and the communities they serve," Scutari said upon signing the bill. “They support the men and women who put their lives on the line when protecting the safety of the residents. This law enables local government to appoint fire chaplains that meet their needs without undue expense.”

Protecting Veterans From Exploitation

This bill could bring stiff penalties to scammers who target New Jersey military veterans, officials said. It adds certain standards for people who ask for payment, in exchange for helping veterans and their families access their benefits.

The legislation requires individuals to make clear if they are affiliated with state or federal veterans agencies. Violators would face penalties under the state’s Consumer Fraud Act, including attorney fees and damages triple the amount of loss.

Gov. Murphy signed this bill Aug. 25, and it went into effect immediately.

“Our veterans put their lives on the line in service to our country and have more than earned the benefits for which they and their loved ones are eligible," Murphy said. “We must protect veterans and their families from unscrupulous individuals who would take advantage of them by overcharging for assistance with those benefits. This legislation will help ensure these bad actors either follow all applicable federal standards or face the consequences.”