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Read. Follow. Verify.New Jersey bill restricts COVID-19 vaccine mandates and establishes a worker reimbursement program
Last action · January 13, 2026: Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health CommitteeSponsors: Gerry Scharfenberger and 5 others
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What This Bill Would Do
Assembly Bill 845 prohibits the Governor, state, county, and local agencies, and schools from mandating COVID-19 immunizations for the general public, while establishing a Department of Health reimbursement program for out-of-pocket vaccine costs incurred by certain health care workers.
Changes vaccine requirements across schools and state agencies, while creating a state-funded cost recovery mechanism specifically for long-term care and health care workers who face mandatory vaccination rules.
- New Jersey previously enacted emergency health powers legislation under P.L.2005, c.222, which grants state authorities certain powers during public health emergencies. context
- The bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2026 session of the New Jersey Legislature by Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger and Assemblywoman Victoria A. Flynn. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Health care workers
Workers at licensed health care facilities may still be required to receive vaccinations if working with medically vulnerable populations, and become eligible for a state reimbursement program for out-of-pocket costs.
Educational institutions
Child care centers, preschools, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions are prohibited from requiring SARS-CoV-2 immunizations for attendance.
State and local government agencies
State, county, and local departments and agencies are barred from issuing orders requiring COVID-19 immunizations.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can schools or universities in New Jersey require students to get a COVID-19 vaccine if this bill passes?
Are all health care workers exempt from the vaccine restrictions in the bill?
Who is eligible for the vaccine cost reimbursement program?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 1 more sponsor
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Limitation of Emergency Health Powers
The bill explicitly overrides certain provisions of prior public health emergency legislation (P.L.2005, c.222) to restrict the state's authority to mandate specific immunizations.
Connected Entities
Sources
njleg.state.nj.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy85Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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