Labor & Employment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3536: Increases accidental death benefit for certain members of PERS.

This bill increases accidental death benefits for firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, hazardous materials responders, and fire instructors who are members of New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It raises the surviving spouse's pension from 50% to 70% of the member's final-year compensation (or $50,000, whichever is greater), and increases child benefits from 25% to 70% if no spouse survives. The bill also adds a lump-sum payment equal to 3.5 times the final-year compensation and requires the state to cover health insurance premiums for surviving spouses and children. Benefits are retroactive to January 1, 2021, with lump-sum adjustments for existing cases.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3418: Establishes Emergency Services part of PERS; provides enhanced benefits for emergency services employees.

S 3418 creates a new "Emergency Services Part" within New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to provide enhanced retirement and death benefits for specific emergency personnel. It directly affects full-time, certified emergency services employees - including EMTs, paramedics, fire inspectors, dispatchers, and other certified responders - as defined in the bill. The bill requires current emergency services employees in the general PERS system to transition to this new part within 120 days (with an opt-out waiver option), and mandates that all new hires in these roles enroll in the Emergency Services Part as a condition of employment. This change ensures these workers receive benefits tailored to their service roles, separate from the standard PERS structure.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Tags Public Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4054: Requires transfer of certain participants of DCRP to PERS.

This bill (A4054) transfers specific school district employees from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). It applies to school employees hired between November 2, 2008, and May 21, 2010, who work over 20 hours weekly but were previously ineligible for PERS due to work-hour rules. The bill requires their enrollment in PERS within 180 days of enactment, granting service credit for benefits eligibility (like health coverage) but not for calculating pension amounts. The state will cover the one-time cost of transferring funds via IRS-compliant trustee-to-trustee transfers, with unfunded liability amortized over 20 years.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4330: Concerns safe operation of certain fire stations; establishes Fire Station Rehabilitation and Maintenance Code; establishes fire station, equipment, training, and maintenance fund; provides for replacement equipment for certain municipalities; and appropriates $140 million.

This bill establishes safety standards for fire stations in New Jersey to protect firefighters exposed to hazardous substances. It requires paid and part-paid fire departments to conduct regular testing for asbestos, mold, and lead (more frequently for pre-1978 stations), remediate hazards within six months, install HEPA-filtered HVAC systems, and add detoxification rooms. The bill creates a $140 million fund to cover station modifications, equipment replacement, and maintenance costs for eligible municipalities. It directly affects professional fire departments statewide by mandating specific health and safety upgrades to their facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jul 8, 2026

A 2401: Establishes measures to improve safety of scrap metal businesses.*

This bill requires all scrap metal businesses in New Jersey to implement specific safety measures. Businesses must conduct quarterly record audits to ensure prohibited items aren't present and take fire safety steps, including hiring trained fire suppression personnel and installing remotely operable fire suppression systems. The fire system requirement has a 5-year phase-in period, with full compliance due within 60 months of enactment. The law directly affects all scrap metal businesses operating in the state, focusing on preventing fires and ensuring proper recordkeeping.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3380: Establishes licensure requirement for source plasma donation centers.

This bill requires all source plasma donation centers in New Jersey to obtain a state license from the Department of Health. Operators must apply for a license (paying a $25 fee for existing centers) and renew it annually by November 10, displaying the license prominently at their facility. The law mandates centers follow specific safety rules based on federal standards for plasma collection, staff training, and donor screening. It does not apply to centers conducting only basic donor tests, and license fees fund the Department's oversight activities.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3322: "Homeless Bill of Rights."

New Jersey's A-3322, the "Homeless Bill of Rights," prohibits discrimination against homeless residents in public spaces, services, employment, healthcare, voting, and privacy. It guarantees homeless individuals the same rights as other residents, including free movement in public areas, equal treatment by government agencies, protection from employment discrimination due to lack of permanent address, access to emergency medical care, and confidentiality of shelter records. The bill allows individuals to sue for violations and seek court-ordered remedies, damages, and attorney fees. It directly affects all homeless residents in New Jersey by legally protecting their access to public life and services without housing status discrimination.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Homelessness Tenant Rights Employment Discrimination

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3533: Establishes "Household Water Assistance Program"; appropriates $75 million.

S 3533 establishes the "Household Water Assistance Program" with $75 million in funding to help low-income New Jersey households pay for water, sewer, and stormwater utility costs. It targets households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, those receiving benefits like SNAP or SSI, or those facing temporary financial hardship (e.g., job loss or medical expenses). The program prevents disconnections for nonpayment and restores service for households already disconnected due to unpaid bills. Administered by the Department of Community Affairs, it directly supports vulnerable households struggling with essential water service costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4159: Requires Firefighter 1 certification of candidate who completes military firefighter training and at least 12 months active duty military service in lieu of training course requirements.

This bill allows military firefighters who completed at least 12 months of active duty military service and military firefighter training to qualify for New Jersey's Firefighter 1 certification without completing the standard state-required training course. It directly affects veterans who served in military firefighting roles, waiving the mandatory recruit training requirement while maintaining other eligibility and examination standards set by the Division of Fire Safety. The key provision replaces the traditional training course requirement with proof of qualifying military service and training. This change applies to candidates who meet all other certification criteria but lack the standard classroom training.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1932: Increases accidental death benefit for surviving spouse or surviving children of certain PERS members and retirants; provides accidental death benefit to beneficiary of certain PERS and PFRS members and retirants; redefines child.

This bill increases accidental death benefits for surviving spouses and children of law enforcement officers, correction officers, and firefighters in New Jersey's public retirement systems. It redefines "child" to include unmarried children under 24 enrolled full-time in college (12+ credits/semester), in addition to those under 18 or disabled, provided the death occurred during duty. The changes clarify eligibility for beneficiaries, including domestic partners for surviving spouses under certain conditions. The bill directly affects families of these public safety workers who die accidentally in the line of duty.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

All labor & employment bills