Provides employment protections for paid first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder under certain conditions.
This bill, S 2373 (the "New Jersey First Responders PTSD Protection Act"), protects paid first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers) who are diagnosed with work-related PTSD. It prohibits public employers from firing, harassing, or discriminating against these employees for taking leave related to a PTSD diagnosis verified by a licensed medical professional. Employers must reinstate employees to their prior roles after medical clearance and face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation if they retaliate. The law applies only when PTSD arises from trauma directly tied to job duties, such as witnessing incidents or experiencing vicarious trauma while performing official responsibilities.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
General Assembly Passage
Jan 2026
Governor
Introduced Jan 29, 2024
Last action Jan 12, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Jun 30, 2025
How they voted
39–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 40
Jun 30, 2025
D
Democratic25
100% Yea
R
Republican15
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
11
Key actions
6
Committee
5
Jan 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Passed Both Houses) (39-0)
upper
Jan 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (73-0-0)
lower
Jan 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
lower
Jul 24, 2025
Committee
Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
lower
Jun 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (39-0)
upper
Jun 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
upper
May 29, 2025
Committee
Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
upper
May 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
upper
Jan 29, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
upper
5 primary · 35 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bill Moen
DDemocratic
P
Jim Beach
DDemocratic
P
Joe Danielsen
DDemocratic
P
Linda Greenstein
DDemocratic
P
Sterley Stanley
DDemocratic
Co
Al Barlas
RRepublican
Co
Alex Sauickie
RRepublican
Co
Angela McKnight
DDemocratic
Co
Annette Quijano
DDemocratic
Co
Anthony Verrelli
DDemocratic
Co
Brian Bergen
RRepublican
Co
Britnee Timberlake
DDemocratic
Co
Carmen Amato
RRepublican
Co
Carmen Morales
DDemocratic
Co
Carol Murphy
DDemocratic
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