The Garden State has recently approved a series of laws that change its refundable child tax credit, strengthen reproductive rights, and more.
From sensitive data protections to cell phone bans, here are five fresh New Jersey laws that are now in effect:
1. Child Tax Credit Extended
On June 30, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed into law that New Jersey's Child Tax Credit would be increased by 25 percent for the taxable years 2026, 2027, and 2028.
Under the new law, which takes effect retroactively from Jan. 1, 2026, a family that brings in $80,000 a year or less can receive up to $1,250 per child five years old or younger.
For example, a family making $28,000 with two qualifying children could receive a $2,500 New Jersey Child Tax Credit for 2026, compared with $2,000 under the previous amounts.
Families who make exactly $80,000 a year are still eligible to receive $250 per qualifying child under the new legislation.
Residents will file for the tax credit on their 2026 New Jersey income tax returns in 2027.
As it's written, the 25 percent extension will end after 2028 and return to its previous amount. However, there is still time for lawmakers to change that.
2. Shielding Reproductive Rights
On Thursday, the governor signed Bill S2260 into law, which reinforces reproductive rights and protections.
The legislation effectively "shields" New Jersey from federal policy changes to reproductive health rights, including abortion procedures, contraception options, and other reproductive technology such as IVF.
"Here in New Jersey, we are standing firm in defense of reproductive freedoms – including the right to choose and the right to receive gender-affirming care," said Sherrill. "No one should fear intimidation or violence for seeking healthcare, and no healthcare professional should fear punishment from another state for providing care that is legal in New Jersey. With this legislation, we are making clear that New Jersey will protect patients, providers, and the fundamental freedom to make personal healthcare decisions."
Specifically, the bill makes it a crime to "injure, threaten, intimidate, or physically block patients or providers, or to damage property in an effort to interfere with reproductive healthcare services."
Additionally, the bill protects healthcare providers from federal malpractice claims with regard to providing reproductive procedures, including abortion.
Thirteen states in the United States have complete bans on abortions, with six states having strict early gestational limits (six to 12 weeks). New Jersey's new law protects people who come to New Jersey from out of state seeking reproductive care. Their home state is unable to investigate or prosecute them for getting reproductive care, including abortion procedures, in the Garden State.
An August 2025 study by the Population Reference Bureau found 22,000 additional births, 478 excess infant deaths, and 59 excess pregnancy-associated deaths following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
3. Sale Of Sensitive Personal Data Banned
During Sherrill's sweeping legislative approval on June 30, she passed a bill that strengthens New Jersey's existing consumer-data privacy law, specifically with regard to data brokers and the sale of sensitive information.
The bill makes it illegal, with few exceptions, for data brokers or collectors to sell or license sensitive data to another person or organization.
According to the bill, the "sensitive data" can include the following:
For example, if the user of a calorie-tracking app divulges personal health information, like a chronic disease, a data broker cannot sell that information. However, the law does not stop the app from collecting and storing that information; it just bans the sale of it.
The law also establishes a data-broker registry, in which data collectors and brokers will be required to register and publicly disclose information including their contact information, privacy policies, and whether consumers can opt out of their data collection practices.
4. Cell Phone Ban In Schools
While New Jersey's school cell-phone ban was passed under Governor Phil Murphy in January, it will take effect starting this upcoming school year.
Bill A4882 establishes guidelines and limitations for K-12 students' cell phone and social media usage during school hours and at school events.
The bill would not only require school districts to address cell phone usage in school, but also other smart devices, including smartwatches, tablets, and laptops.
It also highlights exceptions to the ban, including the use of these devices for educational purposes, translation purposes, and as accommodations for disabled students, to name a few.
Different school districts will enforce the ban through different policies, but the framework of the ban has been laid out by the state.
A popular policy adopted by many New Jersey school districts so far, under the guidance of state regulations, has been the bell-to-bell ban, which applies to classrooms as well as recess and lunch.
Read More — NJ Approves School Cell Phone Ban: What To Know
5. Plastic Utensil Requests
New Jersey's "Skip the Stuff" took effect on Aug. 1, ending the era of restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, diners, food trucks and drive-thrus tossing in disposable utensils, napkins and condiment packets by default. From now on, you'll have to actually ask.
Under Bill S3195, food service businesses may provide single-use forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, napkins and condiment packets only when a customer specifically requests them. The requirement applies whether an order is placed in person, by phone, online or through a third-party delivery app like DoorDash or Uber Eats. Online ordering platforms must default to "no utensils or condiments," requiring customers to actively opt in if they want them.
The law, signed in January, builds on New Jersey's broader effort to reduce single-use plastics, including a 2022 ban on single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food containers, and a 2021 requirement that plastic straws be provided only upon request.
More: NJ's New Takeout Rule In Effect
— With reporting from Sarah Salvadore
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