All Roll Calls
Yes: 114 • No: 2
New JerseyA1825220th Legislature (2024-2025)HouseWALLET
Establishes certain guidelines for SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid concerning step therapy protocols.
Sponsored By: Jon M. Bramnick (Republican), Angela V. McKnight (Democratic), Anthony S. Verrelli (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Public employees gain prescription drug protections
New Jersey’s State Health Benefits Program and School Employees’ Health Benefits Program gain protections for employees and covered dependents. The rules apply to contracts and policies delivered, issued, executed, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Step therapy, which requires trying certain drugs first, must follow evidence-based guidelines developed through a transparent process. Guideline panels must disclose and avoid conflicts of interest, consider patient preferences and unusual patient groups, and review guidelines at least annually—or quarterly when new evidence or uses arise. Peer-reviewed research is allowed when qualifying guidelines are unavailable, and vendors must make review criteria available. Vendors and review organizations must offer a clear exception process when the prescriber finds a required drug unsafe, ineffective, or less effective. Exceptions also apply when all drugs on the plan’s covered list for the condition have failed or caused, or are reasonably expected to cause, harm. Providers must supply supporting records if asked. Requests and appeals must be decided within 24 hours for urgent cases or 72 hours otherwise, after all needed information arrives. Members can appeal, and approved coverage for a drug covered by the plan lasts at least 180 days, or the full treatment period if shorter.
Stronger Medicaid protections for prescribed drugs
New Jersey Medicaid gains protections against step therapy, which requires trying certain drugs before covering another. The rules apply to contracts and policies delivered, issued, executed, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Drug sequences must follow evidence-based guidelines developed through a transparent process by panels that disclose and avoid conflicts of interest. Guidelines must consider patient preferences and unusual patient groups, with reviews at least annually—or quarterly when new evidence or uses arise. Peer-reviewed research is allowed when qualifying guidelines are unavailable, and managed care plans must make review criteria available. Plans must offer a clear exception process and grant exceptions when the prescriber finds a required drug unsafe, ineffective, or less effective. Exceptions also apply when all drugs on the plan’s covered list for the condition have failed or caused, or are reasonably expected to cause, harm. Providers must supply supporting records if asked. Requests and appeals must be decided within 24 hours for urgent cases or 72 hours otherwise, after all needed information arrives. Members can appeal, and approved coverage for a drug on the plan’s covered list lasts at least 180 days, or the full treatment period if shorter.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Jon M. Bramnick
Republican • Senate
Angela V. McKnight
Democratic • Senate
Anthony S. Verrelli
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
John V. Azzariti Jr. M.D.
Republican • House
Rosaura Bagolie
Democratic • House
Brian Bergen
Republican • House
Linda S. Carter
Democratic • House
Robert D. Clifton
Republican • House
Joe Danielsen
Democratic • House
Wayne P. DeAngelo
Democratic • House
Margie Donlon M.D.
Democratic • House
Aura K. Dunn
Republican • House
Linda R. Greenstein
Democratic • Senate
Donald A. Guardian
Republican • House
Shama A. Haider
Democratic • House
Hall, Garnet R.
Affiliation unavailable
Robert J. Karabinchak
Democratic • House
Yvonne Lopez
Democratic • House
Matsikoudis, Michele
Affiliation unavailable
Carol A. Murphy
Democratic • House
Mu�oz, Nancy F.
Affiliation unavailable
Ellen J. Park
Democratic • House
Luanne M. Peterpaul Esq.
Democratic • House
Annette Quijano
Democratic • House
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
Democratic • House
Gabriel Rodriguez
Democratic • House
William B. Sampson IV
Democratic • House
Alex Sauickie
Republican • House
Shanique Speight
Democratic • House
Sterley S. Stanley
Democratic • House
Lisa Swain
Democratic • House
Swift, Claire S.
Affiliation unavailable
Cleopatra G. Tucker
Democratic • House
Chris Tully
Democratic • House
Benjie E. Wimberly
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/24/2025
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 75 • No: 2
Senate vote • 3/24/2025
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 39 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor — P.L.2025, c.50.
5/8/2025GovernorPassed Senate, PBH — (39-0)
3/24/2025SenateSubstituted for S3533 (SCS)
3/24/2025SenateReceived in Senate, SWR, 2nd Reading in Senate
3/24/2025SenatePassed Assembly — (75-2-0)
3/24/2025HouseREP/ACS, 2nd Reading in Assembly
3/20/2025HouseREP/ACS, Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
1/27/2025HouseREP/ACA, Referred to Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee
3/14/2024HouseIntroduced, 1st Reading in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Health Committee
1/9/2024House
Bill Text
Version PL2025
7/2/2025
Version AL2025
6/6/2025
Assembly Appropriations Substitute (3/20/25 ACS ACS)
4/7/2025
3/27/25; ACS ACS
3/27/2025
3/4/25; ACS
3/26/2025
Assembly Appropriations (3/20/25 ACS ACS)
3/25/2025
Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance (1/27/25 ACS)
3/21/2025
Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Substitute (1/27/25 ACS)
1/28/2025
Assembly Health (3/14/24)
5/3/2024
Assembly Health Substitute (3/14/24)
3/15/2024
As Introduced
2/12/2024
Related Bills
A1997, Requires DOE to partner with nonprofit organization to establish central registry of individuals and organizations interested in providing supplemental tutoring support to students.*
A1813, Prohibits delivery of electronic smoking devices and tobacco products to individuals under 21 years of age.
A3099, Establishes option for students nearing completion of program in chiropractic medicine to participate in preceptorship provided by State-licensed chiropractor.
A1675, Extends membership in TPAF to 10 years after discontinuance of service and to 15 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination.*
A1672, Makes disabled persons receiving disability payments pursuant to federal Railroad Retirement Act eligible to receive homestead property tax reimbursement.
A2180, Permits certain persons to operate Type S school buses.