This bill requires New Jersey employers to report certain sexual assault allegations to local law enforcement or county prosecutors within 24 hours of receiving a report from a consumer or employee about an assault involving another consumer or employee. Employers who fail to report face a $10,000 civil penalty. If a county prosecutor receives such a report, they must appoint a victim advocate (via the Sexual Assault Response Team) upon the accuser's request to provide information about medical, legal, and counseling services during the employer's investigation. The law applies to all employers in New Jersey, including those managing employee or consumer interactions.
This bill directs the State Health Benefits Commission (SHBC) to use $78 million from a 2025 False Claims Act settlement with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield to lower health care contribution costs for public employees (and their dependents) covered under the State Health Benefits Program. It specifically applies to employees working for local governments, school districts, and other public employers *other than* the State itself or independent State authorities. The funds will reduce the amount these employees pay toward their health coverage, with the settlement requiring Horizon to pay $100 million total, $78 million of which goes to the SHBC. The bill takes immediate effect.
This bill establishes requirements for on-demand micro transit programs in New Jersey, affecting agencies like NJ Transit, county transit authorities, and other operators. It mandates that drivers hold commercial licenses and receive equal pay and benefits as directly employed drivers, prohibits replacing existing transit services with new micro transit, and requires programs to expand service to "transit deserts" (areas with limited public transit access). Operators must certify compliance with these rules through a new Micro Transit Oversight Committee, which includes representatives from transit agencies, the legislature, and labor unions. Programs cannot begin until this committee certifies they meet all requirements.
This bill requires private contractors performing construction work in New Jersey (excluding public projects or home improvements) to register with the Department of Labor. To register, contractors must submit business details, proof of required licenses, worker's compensation insurance, and disclose compliance with state and federal labor laws (like wage laws and safety regulations). Contractors must also disclose past labor law violations or criminal offenses related to their work. Exemptions apply to contractors already registered under New Jersey’s public works registration system.
This bill extends accidental death benefits to survivors of retired New Jersey State Police officers who died from health conditions related to 9/11 rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. It modifies eligibility rules by removing the requirement for a "written and sworn statement" that was previously needed to prove the retiree qualified for an accidental disability benefit. Surviving spouses, children, or legal guardians may now receive a lump-sum benefit equal to 3.5 times the retiree’s final compensation, provided they submit documentation showing the retiree would have qualified for such a benefit. The change applies to deaths occurring before July 8, 2019, and simplifies the process for survivors seeking these benefits.
This bill would have exempted minors under 16 from standard child labor restrictions when working as vloggers - defined as creating video content featuring minors for compensation on online platforms - provided they work under a caregiver or family member's supervision. It would have required caregivers to provide compensation for this work, as specified in pending sections of the bill. The exemption applied only to minors working as part of a family vlogging operation, not to minors creating their own vlogs. The bill was introduced in 2026 but withdrawn after being incorporated into another law (P.L.2025, c.355).
This bill removes Election Day from New Jersey's list of paid holidays for state employees and public holidays for government operations. It directly affects state and local government workers who would no longer receive Election Day off, and reduces costs for state departments like Corrections and Human Services that previously paid overtime for holiday work. The key mechanism is amending two statutes (P.L.2008, c.89 and R.S.36:1-1) to delete "any general election day" from the official holiday list. This change takes effect immediately, meaning state offices will operate normally on Election Day without requiring holiday pay for most employees. The bill does not alter election procedures or voting schedules.
This bill updates New Jersey's workers' compensation law to clarify coverage requirements for self-employed individuals and business owners. It requires businesses (including partnerships and LLCs) to actively elect coverage for self-employed persons or partners when purchasing or renewing a workers' compensation policy - coverage is not automatic. Businesses only need to provide this coverage if they employ at least one other employee (not the self-employed owner). The bill also specifies that sole S-corporation owners are not automatically covered unless the corporation elects it, and insurers cannot be held liable for failing to provide coverage unless they acted recklessly. This directly affects business owners who work for their own companies but have no other employees.
This bill creates a $10 million "Manufacturing Reboot Program" through New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide financial assistance to qualified manufacturing businesses affected by the pandemic. It targets businesses meeting specific criteria (e.g., paying above-average wages, providing health benefits, operating facilities with >50% manufacturing equipment) and prioritizes those retooling for healthcare products like PPE, medical devices, or vaccines. Grants of $25,000-$150,000 per business cover equipment, payroll, training, or expansion costs, with $5 million allocated specifically for vaccine production and $5 million for other healthcare products. Recipients must report quarterly on employment and spending, and the EDA must annually report program outcomes to the Governor and Legislature.
This bill requires candidates for New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) positions involving access to school facilities to undergo criminal history background checks. Applicants must provide fingerprints with written consent and pay for the check, which the Commissioner of Education will process using the same standards applied to public school employees under existing law (P.L.1986, c.116). The DOE cannot hire applicants with disqualifying criminal convictions for offenses listed in that law, and must terminate employees if new convictions for those offenses arise after hire. The bill implements a recommendation from a state auditor's report to align DOE hiring practices with public school safety protocols.
