New Year, new laws. The countdown to 2025 has now ended, bringing many new legislation into force.
From health care to salary hikes, here are several bills enacted into law for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, effective January 1, 2025:
Pennsylvania
Lawmaker pay raise
More than 1,300 Pennsylvania state senators, judges, and top executive branch officials will receive a 3.4 percent wage rise as a result of a state legislation that mandates automatic raises. Governor Shapiro’s compensation will increase to roughly $246,000. According to the Associated Press, he is on track to become the second-highest paid governor in 2025, after only New York’s governor.
Safe havens
Pennsylvania’s Safe Haven law will cover urgent care centers and health care providers. It allows newborn children to be handed over to public safety officials and health care providers without repercussions.
Expanded access to doulas
Doulas will be reimbursed for birthing instruction and support services during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, as well as up to one year after birth, under new Medicaid coverage.
Biomarker cancer testing
All of Pennsylvania’s health insurance plans, including Medicaid, will include biomarker testing for cancer.
New Jersey
Minimum wage
Most employees in New Jersey will see a $0.36 increase in the statewide minimum wage to $15.49 per hour.
Rights of sexual assault victims
Sexual assault victims can request to be notified of specific developments, such as the status of forensic evidence acquired in connection with their case.
Teacher certification
The New Jersey Board of Education will be banned from requiring certain teachers to pass a commissioner-approved test of fundamental reading, writing, and mathematics skills before becoming licensed.
Delaware
Abortion insurance
Abortions and related health care will be covered by insurance beginning January 1, 2025, for Medicaid and January 1, 2026, for the majority of commercial and state-regulated insurance plans.
Paid leave
Certain employees may be eligible for up to 80% of their salary to cover the care of a new child or family member with serious health concerns, a serious personal health condition or injury, or assistance while loved ones are deployed overseas.