New Jersey parents will have more time to enroll newborns in health insurance coverage under a bill signed by Governor Phil Murphy today, extending the enrollment window from 60 days to 90 days.

The measure is aimed at ensuring infants have uninterrupted access to medical care during the first months after birth, while giving new parents additional flexibility during what state officials described as a demanding and often overwhelming period.

“The early weeks of parenthood are a blur of checkups, feedings, and sleep deprivation,” state Senator Raj Mukherji said in a statement. “By extending the automatic coverage period and enrollment window for newborns in essential programs like FamilyCare, we’re giving families a modest but meaningful buffer at a moment when every minute and every worry counts.”

Mukherji said the bill replaces an abrupt cutoff with “breathing room and peace of mind” for families navigating the enrollment process while caring for a newborn.

Murphy signed the bill as part of a broader package focused on maternal and infant health, but the newborn coverage provision stands on its own as a targeted expansion of access to care. State officials said the additional 30 days will help families avoid gaps in coverage that can delay pediatric visits, immunizations, and other essential services.

Under existing law, parents had 60 days after a child’s birth to enroll the infant in a health plan. Supporters of the bill argued that the timeline did not reflect the realities faced by new families, particularly those navigating medical recovery, childcare, and administrative requirements simultaneously.

Sen. Joseph Lagana, a sponsor of the legislation, said the extended window offers “meaningful peace of mind” while helping ensure infants maintain continuous access to medical care. “It is a simple and practical measure that supports families during an important and often stressful transition,” he said in a statement.

The law takes effect immediately.