It was one of the final acts by Governor Phil Murphy.
The new state law mandates cursive instruction in grades 3 to 5, beginning this fall.
"The return to including cursive instruction is especially meaningful as New Jersey celebrates the upcoming 250th anniversary of our country's founding - giving our students the skills they need to read our nation's founding documents and complete tasks like opening a bank account or signing a check, in addition to offering cognitive benefits," said Governor Murphy.
Public schools must now teach students how to write cursive legibly and become fluent in reading it.
The requirements take effect immediately and apply to the next full school year.