Labor & Employment

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jul 22, 2026

A 1516: Exempts poll workers wages from affecting unemployment compensation.

This bill exempts wages earned by poll workers during election cycles from being counted when calculating an individual's unemployment benefits. It directly affects poll workers who may otherwise have their unemployment compensation reduced due to income earned from temporary election work. The key provision amends New Jersey's unemployment law to exclude poll workers' wages from the "annual payroll" calculation used to determine benefit eligibility. This change ensures poll workers can receive full unemployment benefits without their election-season earnings affecting their claim. The bill focuses solely on adjusting the calculation method for this specific group of workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts poll worker wages from unemployment calculation, protecting temporary workers' benefits without reducing compensation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 5324: Establishes fee on certain employers that employ individuals who receive health benefits coverage through State Medicaid program.

This New Jersey bill introduces a new fee for employers who have at least 50 employees receiving Medicaid health coverage. The fee amount varies based on company size, charging $325, $525, or $725 per covered employee and their dependents depending on whether the employer has between 50-249, 250-499, or 500 or more Medicaid recipients. Employers with employees who have developmental, intellectual, or permanent physical disabilities are exempt from paying this charge. The revenue generated from these fees is intended to help cover the costs of the State Medicaid program.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill imposes new fees on employers, increasing the tax burden on businesses and potentially reducing funds available for other state services.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill imposes a fee on employers for Medicaid recipients, effectively increasing costs for providing health coverage and potentially restricting access or funding.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill imposes a fee on employers with Medicaid-covered employees, increasing labor costs and potentially restricting hiring or benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

passed both · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 5016: Establishes program in EDA to encourage employee ownership awareness and provide funding and advisory support.

This bill directs the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to create a program that helps businesses understand and adopt employee ownership models, such as worker cooperatives or stock ownership plans. To support this goal, the program will offer funding for feasibility studies, provide expert consulting advice, and publish educational resources online for both employers and employees. Eligible businesses must be located in New Jersey, have at least 20 full-time employees, and maintain good standing with state agencies to receive these services. Additionally, the authority will partner with educational institutions to offer early-stage technical assistance to smaller companies that may not yet be ready for a transition.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds employee ownership programs and cooperatives, strengthening worker rights and economic participation.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 4821: Enters NJ into Athletic Trainer Compact.

This bill introduces New Jersey into the Athletic Trainer Compact, a national agreement designed to allow licensed athletic trainers to practice across multiple member states without needing separate licenses in each location. The legislation establishes a commission to oversee the program and creates a streamlined process where qualified professionals can work in other states while still adhering to the specific rules and scope of practice of the state where the patient is located. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, support for military families relocating, and the use of telehealth to expand access to care. By adopting this compact, New Jersey aims to increase workforce mobility and public access to athletic training services while maintaining state authority over public health and safety.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to licensed athletic trainers across state lines, improving patient care availability and professional mobility.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill facilitates interstate mobility for licensed athletic trainers, expanding employment opportunities and professional flexibility.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2962: Provides seniority service credit to educational support professionals for military service.

This New Jersey bill (S 2962) gives educational support professionals (like cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and administrative staff) who served in the U.S. military and qualify for VA benefits up to four years of seniority credit. The credit counts military service completed before or during their school district employment, treating it as equivalent to actual work time for seniority purposes. It expands an existing benefit currently only available to teaching staff. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands seniority benefits to educational support staff (e.g., cafeteria workers, bus drivers) for military service, strengthening school workforce retention and recognition within K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands seniority benefits for educational support staff (e.g., cafeteria workers) by crediting military service, strengthening employment rights and benefits for non-teaching workers.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands seniority benefits for veterans in education roles, recognizing military service as equivalent to work time for career advancement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 18, 2026

A 936: Waives certain professional and occupational licensing fees for veterans and spouses of veterans.

This bill waives initial application and issuance fees for professional and occupational licenses in New Jersey for veterans and their spouses, domestic partners, or civil union partners who already hold a current, equivalent license in another state. It applies when the applicant resides in New Jersey and the out-of-state license meets the board's equivalent or substantially equivalent requirements. The exemption covers all licenses issued by professional boards under the Division of Consumer Affairs. The bill does not affect renewal fees or licenses obtained through other pathways.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentWaives licensing fees for veterans, reducing barriers to employment in licensed professions and aligning with employment standards support.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransWaives licensing fees for veterans and spouses, removing financial barriers to employment in NJ. Directly supports veteran workforce integration and service recognition.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 2205: Requires signs to be posted in emergency rooms regarding VCCO.

Bill A 2205 requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Health (working with the Attorney General) to create clear, easily understandable signs for emergency rooms. These signs must display VCCO services/benefits, contact details, and how to file a compensation claim. The bill mandates posting these signs in all general hospital emergency departments and satellite emergency departments, with electronic displays permitted. It aims to make VCCO information more accessible to individuals who may qualify for victim compensation after crimes. The bill takes effect four months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates accessible victim compensation info in ERs, supporting victims' rights and services within criminal justice system, aligning with reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires ER signs for VCCO benefits access, improving patient awareness of healthcare-related compensation services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates clear signage for VCCO (workers' compensation) benefits access, ensuring workers can easily file claims - directly supporting workers' compensation rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 2, 2026

A 2078: Establishes registry of out-of-state contractors who are awarded public works contracts in this State.

This bill requires New Jersey to create a public online registry listing out-of-state contractors awarded public construction contracts that require prevailing wages. It directly affects contractors whose main business is outside New Jersey, excluding satellite offices or temporary locations. The registry, maintained by the State Treasurer, will include project details, contractor trade names, and business addresses, and must be accessible on the Treasury Department’s website. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires prevailing wages for public construction contractors, directly protecting worker pay standards through mandatory registry enforcement.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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