The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.New Jersey Bill A906 Requires State Licensure for Medical and Dental Expert Witnesses in Malpractice Cases
Last action · January 13, 2026: Introduced, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions CommitteeSponsor: Azzariti Jr., John V., M.D.
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What This Bill Would Do
Assembly Bill 906 requires physicians, dentists, and other health care professionals serving as expert witnesses or executing affidavits of merit in New Jersey medical and dental malpractice cases to hold a valid New Jersey professional license. Previously, experts were permitted to be licensed anywhere in the United States. The measure also establishes civil penalties of up to $10,000 for retaliatory adverse actions taken against individuals who agree to provide expert testimony.
Malpractice plaintiffs and defendants in New Jersey courts must secure in-state licensed professionals to testify on standards of care, potentially altering the pool of available medical and dental expert witnesses and impacting litigation costs and preparation timelines.
- In New Jersey medical malpractice lawsuits, plaintiffs are required by statute to file an affidavit of merit signed by a qualified expert witness within a specific timeframe following the defendant's answer. context
- Assemblyman John V. Azzariti Jr., M.D., represents District 39 in the New Jersey General Assembly. 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.
Physicians and Dentists
Medical and dental professionals acting as expert witnesses must hold a New Jersey license and meet specialized clinical practice criteria to testify or sign certificates of merit.
Malpractice Litigants
Plaintiffs and defendants involved in medical and dental malpractice lawsuits must source expert witnesses who meet the updated in-state licensing and specialty requirements.
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
What change does Bill A906 make regarding expert witnesses in medical malpractice cases?
Are dentists covered under the expert witness qualification requirements?
What penalties exist if someone retaliates against a medical expert witness?
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 Regulated Professions 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
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Shift from National to State Licensure for Experts
The legislation removes the allowance for U.S.-licensed professionals outside New Jersey to act as expert witnesses or sign certificates of merit in medical malpractice lawsuits.
Connected Entities
Sources
njleg.state.nj.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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