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New JerseyS4894220th Legislature (2024-2025)SenateWALLET

Revises certain references to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in statutory and regulatory law; Requires health benefits coverage for certain immunizations recommended by DOH.*

Sponsored By: Carol A. Murphy (Democratic), Joseph F. Vitale (Democratic), Andrew Zwicker (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Health plans cover state-recommended shots

Covered private, State employee, and school employee health plans must cover shots recommended by New Jersey’s Department of Health. The law applies to covered policies issued or renewed on or after January 18, 2026. No-cost coverage starts with plan years beginning at least one year after a recommendation is issued. Plans cannot charge deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for these shots, including out-of-network shots when no in-network provider can give them. Separate childhood-shot rules generally bar deductibles; high-deductible plans follow federal and state limits on deductible-free preventive care. Some requirements depend on the carrier’s right to change premiums; specified large-group contracts must cover more than 50 people. Subscribers and enrollees must receive written notice of applicable coverage and premium changes.

Medicaid covers state-recommended preventive shots

Beginning January 18, 2026, New Jersey’s medical assistance program includes state health department-recommended shots as preventive care. Recipients must qualify for medical assistance, and federal and state program limits still apply. The health department must consider federal vaccine advisers’ recommendations and, when appropriate, recommendations from specified medical groups.

Care workers face annual flu-shot rules

New Jersey hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies must offer annual flu shots under state health department guidance. Employees must get vaccinated by December 31 each flu season, show acceptable proof of outside vaccination, or obtain a qualifying medical exemption. Facilities must require unvaccinated workers to wear masks in specified settings or remove them from direct patient care during flu season. Workers cannot be fired or have pay reduced because of a medical exemption. Facilities must keep records, report vaccination rates, provide education, and review their programs annually. The program starts with the first flu season after the act takes effect; facilities may pause during a commissioner-determined vaccine shortage.

College students need state-recommended meningococcal shots

New students at New Jersey public and private colleges must receive state health department-recommended meningococcal immunization to attend. The law preserves the exceptions in the existing college vaccination statute. Each college must offer the shot through student health services or an arrangement with a community provider. The attendance requirement dates to September 2004; this law updates it to use state health department recommendations.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Carol A. Murphy

    Democratic • House

  • Joseph F. Vitale

    Democratic • Senate

  • Andrew Zwicker

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 76 • No: 36

House vote • 1/12/2026

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 51 • No: 24

Senate vote • 12/22/2025

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 25 • No: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor — P.L.2025, c.283.

    1/18/2026Governor

  2. Passed Assembly, PBH — (51-24-0)

    1/12/2026House

  3. Substituted for A6166 (ACS)

    1/12/2026House

  4. Reported, 2nd Reading in Assembly

    1/5/2026House

  5. Received in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Health Committee

    1/2/2026House

  6. Passed Senate — (25-12)

    12/22/2025Senate

  7. REP/SCS, 2nd Reading in Senate

    12/8/2025Senate

  8. Introduced, 1st Reading in Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee

    11/20/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Version PL2025

    6/4/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Assembly Health Substitute (1/5/26 SCS S4726)

    5/21/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens (12/8/25 SCS S4726)

    5/21/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Substitute (12/8/25 SCS S4726)

    5/21/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Version AL2025

    5/21/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • As Introduced

    11/21/2025

    HTMLPDF

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