Several significant new laws in New Jersey are landing in 2025 and 2026, affecting hourly wages, senior property taxes, consumer data, housing, workplace drug testing, and more. Some took effect on a single date; others phase in over several years. Here is what applies to you now, with the dates that matter.
Minimum Wage Goes Up January 1, 2026
The statewide minimum wage for most employees rises to $15.92 per hour on January 1, 2026. Seasonal employees and workers at businesses with fewer than six employees have a separate rate of $15.23 per hour, part of a catch-up schedule that will eventually align with the general rate.1New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development. New Jersey’s Minimum Wage to Increase on Jan. 1
These annual adjustments track the Consumer Price Index. Once the sub-minimum categories reach the general rate, the state constitution requires future increases to follow inflation automatically.2New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development. New Jersey’s Minimum Wage to Increase to $15.49/Hour for Most Employees on Jan. 1
Stay NJ Property Tax Credit Is Now Paying Out
The Stay NJ property tax credit, created by P.L. 2023, c.75, is operational. The program covers up to 50 percent of property taxes on a senior’s primary residence, capped at $6,500 for tax year 2026.3Justia. New Jersey Code 54:4-8.75c – Stay NJ Property Tax Credit Program, Established The state began issuing first-quarter payments for the 2024 program year in February 2026. The deadline to apply for the 2025 program year is November 2, 2026.4NJ Division of Taxation. Stay NJ – Property Tax Relief for Senior Citizens
To qualify, you must be at least 65 years old, own and live in a New Jersey home as your principal residence for the full calendar year, and have gross income under $500,000.5New Jersey Legislature. P.L. 2023, c.075 – Stay NJ Act Social Security disability status alone does not meet the age requirement. Starting in 2027, the $6,500 cap will rise annually based on the average change in residential property tax bills across the state.3Justia. New Jersey Code 54:4-8.75c – Stay NJ Property Tax Credit Program, Established
Stay NJ runs alongside the ANCHOR program. If you qualify for both, watch the notices the Division of Taxation sends each fall; they list your property taxes, credits, and benefit calculation.6NJ Division of Taxation. Property Tax Relief Programs for Homeowners, Mobile Home Owners, and Renters
The Data Privacy Law Is in Force
The New Jersey Data Privacy Law (P.L. 2023, c.266) took effect on January 15, 2025. It applies to businesses that process the personal data of at least 100,000 New Jersey consumers per year, or that process data of at least 25,000 consumers while also earning revenue from selling that data.
Covered businesses must tell consumers what categories of data they collect and which third parties receive it. You have the right to opt out of targeted advertising and profiling, and to access, correct, or delete your personal information. Businesses conducting high-risk data processing must perform data protection assessments.7Justia. New Jersey Code 56:8-166.12 – Controller, Personal Data, Responsibilities, Security
Only the Attorney General can enforce the law. Consumers have no private right to sue. Penalties reach $10,000 for a first violation and $20,000 for repeat offenses. Until July 1, 2026, the Division of Consumer Affairs will notify a business of a potential violation and give it 30 days to fix the problem before pursuing enforcement. After that date, the cure period disappears and the Attorney General can act immediately.8NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. New Jersey Data Privacy Law FAQs Proposed implementing regulations expired in June 2026 without being adopted, so the statute itself governs for now.
Affordable Housing Has a New Process
P.L. 2024, c.2 rewrote how New Jersey handles affordable housing obligations. The law abolishes the Council on Affordable Housing, which the legislature acknowledged had failed to function as intended.9New Jersey Legislature. New Jersey Chapter 2 – P.L.2024, c.2
The Department of Community Affairs now publishes calculations of each municipality’s present and prospective housing need. Each town adopts a fair share plan by binding resolution and files it with the courts.10New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. NJ Fair Housing Act Administration Advocates for low- and moderate-income households can challenge a plan, and disputes go through a specialized Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program instead of years of conventional litigation.9New Jersey Legislature. New Jersey Chapter 2 – P.L.2024, c.2 Municipalities that ignore the new benchmarks risk losing local control over zoning.
Cannabis Can’t Be the Sole Reason for Firing
Recreational cannabis has been legal in New Jersey since 2021, but the workplace rules still catch employers out. Under CREAMMA, an employer cannot discipline a worker simply for testing positive on a drug screen. The employer has to show the worker was actually impaired on the job.
Proving workplace impairment is a two-step process. There must be a scientifically reliable test, such as a blood, urine, or saliva screen, and the employee must be physically evaluated by someone with Workplace Impairment Recognition Expert (WIRE) certification. Only when both the test and the evaluation confirm impairment during work hours can an employer take adverse action.11New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Workplace Impairment Guidance While formal WIRE certification standards are being finalized, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission allows employers to designate interim staff trained to complete a Reasonable Suspicion Observation Report. Employers who fire workers on a positive test alone face legal exposure, and that is where most cannabis-related workplace disputes begin.
Domestic Workers Must Have Written Contracts
The Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, P.L. 2023, c.262, covers people providing caregiving, cleaning, cooking, tutoring, and similar services in private homes. If you hire someone for more than five hours a month, you need a written contract.12New Jersey Legislature. P.L. 2023, c.262
The contract must state the job duties, hourly and overtime wages, weekly schedule, how and when the worker will be paid, break times, leave policies, holidays, and any transportation or housing you provide. Both parties sign, and the agreement must be available in the worker’s preferred language.
Workers get a paid ten-minute rest for every four consecutive hours worked and an uninterrupted 30-minute meal break after more than five consecutive hours. When the work prevents a full break, such as caring for a sick or elderly person, it becomes an “on-duty” break and the employer still pays for it.12New Jersey Legislature. P.L. 2023, c.262 Employers are also barred from confiscating personal documents like passports, and must provide a written notice of rights. Violations can trigger back pay and administrative penalties.
Zero-Emission Vehicle Rules Start With Model Year 2027
New Jersey has adopted Advanced Clean Cars II, which phases in zero-emission vehicle targets for manufacturers selling passenger cars and light-duty trucks in the state. Starting with model year 2027, 43 percent of a manufacturer’s new vehicle sales in New Jersey must be zero-emission. That percentage climbs each year and reaches 100 percent by model year 2035.13New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Advanced Clean Cars II Program
The rule targets manufacturers, not buyers or dealers. You will not be fined for buying a gas-powered car. The requirement sits on automakers for the mix of vehicles they deliver into the state market.13New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Advanced Clean Cars II Program
Clean Slate Expungement After Ten Years
New Jersey’s clean slate law lets someone convicted of one or more crimes, disorderly-persons offenses, or municipal violations apply for expungement after ten years from their most recent conviction, completion of probation or parole, release from incarceration, or payment of all court-ordered financial obligations, whichever comes last.14Justia. New Jersey Code 2C:52-5.3
Eventually the process is meant to be automatic. Once the state’s automated clean slate system under N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.4 is up and running, the petition path under section 2C:52-5.3 will close and eligible records will be sealed without any action from you.14Justia. New Jersey Code 2C:52-5.3 Certain serious offenses remain permanently ineligible. Until the automated system launches, the petition process is still the way in.
Legal Notices Move Online in March 2026
P.L. 2025, c.72 changes how legally required notices are published. After March 1, 2026, every public entity must post required legal notices on its official website, and the Secretary of State will maintain a central page linking to each public entity’s notices.15New Jersey Legislature. P.L. 2025, c.072
Private companies and individuals required by law or court order to publish legal notices must now use qualifying online news publications rather than relying only on print newspapers. Those publications have to meet minimum traffic thresholds tied to the geographic reach of the notice. Public entities must also keep a one-year online archive of past notices beginning July 1, 2026.15New Jersey Legislature. P.L. 2025, c.072 If you handle estate notices, foreclosure notices, or municipal bidding announcements, factor the new publication rules into your timeline.