New Jersey Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts (Athletic Trainer Compact): New Jersey Bill Introduced

Demographic Data

State residents include:

11,537 active-duty service members
4,135 active-duty spouses
6,776 active-duty children
- 4,066 children in K-12
21,518 National Guard and reserve members
7,323 National Guard and reserve spouses
11,520 National Guard and reserve children
- 7,266 children in K-12

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2025

Christopher Arnold

Mid-Atlantic Regional Liaison

Mid-Atlantic Region

DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV

EMAIL

Mr. Arnold became Mid-Atlantic region liaison in 2020. Prior to joining the DSLO, he spent eight years as a top-level staffer in both houses of the New York legislature, four years as director of public affairs in New York's third-largest city and three years managing several units of county government. Mr. Arnold is a former journalist and U.S. Army combat veteran.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts6/19 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

Athletic Trainer Compact

05/20/2026A4821

05/20/2026S4113

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

01/12/2026A2606

01/20/2026S788

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

01/12/2026A3380

01/20/2026S3636

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

01/21/2026A1702

01/12/2026S806

Dietitian Licensure Compact

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

01/22/2026A4186

01/28/2026S3648

Esthetics Licensure Compact

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

01/07/2024A5311

10/23/2023A5311

01/16/2024

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact Final Legislation

With the assistance of the New Jersey Counseling Association, the Garden State became the 32nd member state to enact the Licensed Professional Counselor's Compact. The compact provides seamless reciprocity for all practitioners of the occupation.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nurse Licensure Compact

02/21/2019SB954

05/23/2019SB954

07/19/2019

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

The State of New Jersey enacts and enters into the Nurse Licensure Compact with all other jurisdictions that legally join in the compact.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

01/08/2018HB-4386

01/08/2018SB-2511

01/16/2018

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

The State of New Jersey enacts and enters into the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact with other Jurisdictions.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physician Associates Compact

11/01/2024S3560

01/09/2026

Physician Associates Compact Final Legislation

New Jersey joined the Physician Associates Compact in 2026, providing licensure portability for all practitioners of the occupation.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

05/20/2021A4205

06/04/2021S2506

09/24/2021

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Final Legislation

New Jersey joined PsyPACT in September 2021 following passage of legislation (P.L. 2021, c.229) sponsored by Assemblymembers Louis Greenwald, Pamela Lampitt, and Herb Conaway Jr., and Senator Vin Gopal.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

Social Work Licensure Compact

04/18/2024A2813

03/06/2024S2688

05/08/2025

Social Work Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Thanks to legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Louis Greenwald, the Garden State enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact, which provides a privilege to practice for military spouse social workers when they relocate between Compact member states.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Military Spouse Employment Preference0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Employment Preference - Private Sector

Employment Preference - Public Sector

01/12/2026A1900

Employment Preference - Procurement

Military Clause in State Family Leave Laws

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Solutions for Military Homeschoolers1/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Streamline Requirements

09/30/2025

Streamline Requirements Final Legislation

New Jersey are not required to notify the state or local district of their intent to homeschool, unless a high school student leaves a public school for homeschooling.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Ensure Extracurricular Access

Clarify JROTC Eligibility

State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

State Support of Military Families With Special Education Needs2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

01/13/2008

Minimize Delays Final Legislation

New Jersey is the best practice model for timeliness, requiring a new Individualized Education Program to be implemented within 30 days of a student’s transfer from another school system. New Jersey is also the best practice model for reducing burdens, where the school district shall have the burden of proof and the burden of production.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Reduce Burdens

01/13/2008

Reduce Burdens Final Legislation

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Education Policy Implementation and Information Enhancements1/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advance Enrollment Enhancements

Military Student Identifier Enhancements

09/30/2025

Military Student Identifier Enhancements Final Legislation

Through education policy implementation and information enhancements to its student record system, New Jersey has supported military-connected children and ensured families are empowered with the knowledge they need by clarifying requirements, enhancing communication efforts and streamlining access to information.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Education Compact Enhancements

Purple Star Schools Program Enhancements

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

01/12/2026A2277

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

01/12/2026A1910

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Enhance Information-Sharing

01/12/2026A1910

Allow Military Protective Orders as Evidence

01/12/2026A1910

Military Community Representation on State Defense Councils

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

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