Overview
- Murphy signed the Safe Communities Act, directing the attorney general to issue model policies for schools, hospitals, courthouses and houses of worship, with agencies required to adopt them within 180 days.
- The Privacy Protection Act expired by pocket veto after Murphy said a drafting oversight could conflict with federal law and jeopardize billions in federal funding; he sent recommended amendments for quick reintroduction.
- Murphy also pocket‑vetoed the Strengthening Trust Act, arguing it went beyond the 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive in ways likely to prompt new litigation, including limits on using agency funds to assist federal immigration enforcement.
- The pocket vetoes occurred because the bills reached Murphy within the final 10 days of the legislative session, leaving them to lapse as he exited office and Mikie Sherrill was inaugurated governor.
- Immigrant-rights groups including Make the Road New Jersey, the ACLU-NJ and the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice condemned the move and vowed to press Sherrill and the Legislature, while Assembly members Ravi Bhalla and Katie Brennan pledged to back reintroduced bills.