Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 3014: Requires certain golf courses to maintain automated external defibrillator.

New Jersey's S 3014 requires qualifying public golf courses (defined as 18-hole courses open to the public, excluding 9-hole or miniature courses) to maintain an automated external defibrillator (AED). Owners must acquire and store an AED in an accessible location, ensure it is tested and maintained, notify emergency services of its location, and train at least one employee on-site during business hours with current AED/CPR certification. Violations incur civil penalties starting at $250 for the first offense, with the course owner liable for costs. The law aims to improve emergency response at these facilities while providing immunity for properly maintained AEDs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires AED training for employees on-site during business hours, improving workplace safety standards for golf course workers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 2136: Requires employers to include in job posting whether posting is for existing position and sets additional job posting requirements.

S 2136 requires New Jersey employers and third-party job posting platforms to include clear disclosures in all public job ads. Specifically, they must state whether a position is for an existing vacancy (with an estimated fill timeframe) or not (using a disclaimer that expires after 90 days and requires prior posting history). The bill mandates removing filled positions within 30 days of original posting or two weeks after hiring, whichever comes later, and requires employers to notify applicants within the ad’s stated timeframe about application status. Violations incur civil penalties up to $600 per offense, with the Department of Labor empowered to conduct compliance audits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires transparent job posting disclosures to protect workers' rights by preventing misleading vacancies and ensuring accurate hiring information.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 3217: Establishes Statewide Skills Academy Network; appropriates $1 million.

This bill establishes a Statewide Skills Academy Network to connect county colleges, vocational schools, and union training programs across New Jersey. It appropriates $1 million to the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to support the network’s work in improving collaboration, identifying workforce training gaps, and developing accessible short-term programs in high-demand fields. The network will focus on sharing best practices, expanding geographic access to training, and creating an integrated credentialing system to help workers gain job-ready skills. Regional skills academies selected through a competitive process will use grant funds to develop training sites offering evening and weekend classes. The bill directly affects educational institutions, workforce training providers, and workers seeking credentials in growing industries.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $1M to establish Skills Academy Network, enhancing workforce training access and collaboration between educational institutions per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce training network to address skill gaps in high-demand fields, enhancing worker employment opportunities and skills development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 3571: Provides certain volunteer and other workers with maximum compensation benefit for workers' compensation claim regardless of outside employment.

This bill (S 3571) ensures certain volunteer workers in New Jersey receive the maximum workers' compensation benefit for work-related injuries or death, regardless of their income from other jobs. It directly affects volunteer firefighters, first aid/rescue squad workers, emergency management volunteers, healthcare workers registered with the Emergency Health Care Provider Registry, and volunteers for state parks, fish and wildlife, and historic trusts. Key provisions include setting compensation equal to the maximum benefit under state law (bypassing calculations based on outside earnings) and eliminating the standard seven-day waiting period for these workers. The bill clarifies existing law following a 2019 Supreme Court ruling that confirmed volunteers should receive maximum benefits irrespective of outside employment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGuarantees maximum workers' compensation benefits for volunteer workers (firefighters, healthcare, etc.) regardless of outside income, expanding protections for specific labor groups.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 3593: "New Jersey Works Act"; permits businesses to apply for tax credits for establishing approved pre-employment and work readiness training programs in partnership with schools, nonprofit organizations, or educational institutions.

S 3593, the "New Jersey Works Act," allows businesses to earn tax credits for creating paid pre-employment training programs in partnership with schools, nonprofits, or educational institutions. These programs must provide at least 12 weeks of training covering skills like math, communication, resume writing, and job readiness, targeting individuals from low- and moderate-income households. Businesses in non-construction industries can apply for tax credits after their programs are approved by the Department of Labor. The bill specifically excludes construction trade businesses from eligibility for these credits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits to businesses for job training programs targeting low-income individuals, using fiscal incentives to fund workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credits for employer-funded job training targeting low-income workers, enhancing workforce readiness and employment opportunities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 2689: Requires employer to provide certain accommodations to employee who is breast feeding.

This bill (S 2689) adds "breastfeeding" to New Jersey's existing anti-discrimination law, making it unlawful for employers to discriminate against employees based on breastfeeding. It directly affects breastfeeding employees and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations, such as break time and a private space, to support breastfeeding at work. The law amends the Law Against Discrimination (P.L.1945, c.169) to explicitly include breastfeeding under protected categories like pregnancy and sex. This creates a clear legal standard for employers to follow, ensuring breastfeeding employees are not treated unfairly in hiring, pay, or workplace conditions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employer accommodations for breastfeeding, protecting workplace rights under anti-discrimination law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 1841: Creates "New Jersey Workplace Skills Savings Program"; appropriates $25 million.

New Jersey's S 1841 creates the "Workplace Skills Savings Program," allowing eligible workers to save for job training. Employees earning wages subject to New Jersey income tax can contribute up to $1,000 annually to a personal account, with the state matching each dollar contributed. Funds can be used for apprenticeships, licensing exams, retraining, or approved job-related education at schools or unions. The program is funded by a $25 million state appropriation from the General Fund, administered by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, with the Department of the Treasury managing the trust. It takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $25M from General Fund to fund job training program, directly advancing state budget allocation for public services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds worker job training via state-matched savings program, expanding access to skill development and retraining opportunities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 1381: Requires DOLWD to identify and recruit unemployed individuals for employment in healthcare facilities, home care services, and hospice services; makes appropriation.*

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to create a program identifying and recruiting unemployed residents for healthcare jobs. It mandates that DOLWD evaluate whether training is practical for specific roles, considers job proximity and transportation options, and assesses barriers preventing immediate employment. The bill appropriates $250,000 from the state general fund to fund training programs and support resources for eligible individuals, leveraging existing DOLWD initiatives. The program would directly affect unemployed New Jersey residents seeking healthcare employment, but the bill is currently pending in the Senate Labor Committee (introduced January 13, 2026).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $250,000 from state general fund for healthcare job training program, directly funding a public workforce development initiative under budget management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $250k for healthcare workforce training, directly funding job creation in health services per bill's funding mandate.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAppropriates $250k for DOLWD to recruit unemployed into healthcare jobs with training support, directly advancing employment opportunities and workforce development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 3214: Establishes "New Jersey Earn and Learn Program;" provides tax credits for employers providing structured apprenticeships and paid internships.

S 3214 creates the "New Jersey Earn and Learn Program" to provide tax credits for employers offering structured apprenticeships and paid internships that lead to permanent jobs. Employers receive a $3,000 tax credit per enrolled individual (apprentice or intern) for the first year, with an additional $1,000 available for small businesses, for enrollees from underrepresented groups, or if the enrollee secures full-time employment after completing the program. The program requires participants to maintain full-time employment for six months post-program and limits participation to three years per individual. These tax credits reduce the employer's corporation business tax or gross income tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits to employers for apprenticeships, reducing business tax liability - direct tax relief aligns with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides tax credits for paid apprenticeships/internships leading to permanent jobs, directly advancing employment standards and worker compensation through employer incentives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 1631: Prohibits discrimination on basis of height or weight under "Law Against Discrimination."

New Jersey's S 1631 adds height and weight to the list of protected characteristics under the state's Law Against Discrimination. It makes it illegal for employers, public accommodations (like restaurants and stores), and housing providers to discriminate based on these factors. The bill amends existing law to include "height or weight" alongside categories like race, disability, and gender identity in all relevant sections. Enforcement will continue through the Division on Civil Rights, which handles complaints about discrimination.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits housing discrimination based on height/weight, strengthening tenant protections under state law.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds height/weight to protected classes under NJ's anti-discrimination law, prohibiting employment discrimination and strengthening workers' rights protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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