This bill expands eligibility for compensation from New Jersey's Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) to include victims of motor vehicle crashes resulting in death or requiring ambulance removal from the scene. It also establishes a "Traffic Crash Victim's Bill of Rights," granting victims and families specific entitlements: free access to police reports and crash evidence, notification about court hearings (including license suspension cases), the right to take work leave for related hearings, protection from harassment by the other driver, and access to compensation assistance. The bill directly affects crash victims who previously did not qualify for VCCO benefits under New Jersey law. These changes aim to provide clearer access to information and support for those impacted by serious traffic crashes.
This bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) and county transit agencies to provide free one-time transit passes to individuals seeking access to One Stop Career Centers. The passes cover up to three round-trips and must be offered upon application, with applicants needing to demonstrate their intent to access these centers. County transit agencies are encouraged to align their application process with NJT’s system. The policy directly affects job seekers accessing career services, removing a transportation barrier for low-income residents.
This bill changes the civil service classification of State Investigators working in New Jersey's Division of Criminal Justice (part of the Department of Law and Public Safety). Currently classified as unclassified employees, they lack full civil service protections like job security and standardized hiring. The bill moves them to classified service, granting them those protections under state civil service rules. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.351.
This bill amends New Jersey's labor laws to increase age restrictions for minors working in agriculture. It prohibits minors under 12 from agricultural work until December 31, 2024, after which the minimum age rises to 14. It also limits agricultural work hours for minors: 10 hours per day before 2025, then aligning with general minor labor rules (c.34:2-21.3) after that date. The bill directly affects minors under 18 working on farms in New Jersey, requiring employer authorization and restricting work hours to protect their health and education.
This bill requires contractors working on data center construction projects with annual electrical usage of 5 megawatts or more to pay prevailing wages determined by New Jersey’s Labor Commissioner. It directly affects contractors building qualifying data centers by mandating compliance with wage standards, safety training (OSHA-10/30), drug testing, insurance requirements, and detailed payroll documentation. Key provisions include prohibiting temporary labor without registered apprenticeship enrollment, requiring joint liability for unpaid wages by subcontractors, and mandating weekly sign-in records. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.335, so it is not currently in effect.
This bill provides reimbursement for the first six months of COBRA health insurance costs paid by spouses and unmarried children of public safety employees who died while on duty or within 24 hours of duty. To qualify, dependents must have been covered by the State Health Benefits Program or the employee’s employer plan until death, and must apply by March 1 each year for the prior year’s coverage. The state allocates $750,000 annually for these reimbursements, with payments distributed proportionally if funding falls short of demand. This program does not affect the standard 36-month COBRA coverage period available to survivors.
This bill would exempt salaries and wages for emergency response personnel (like firefighters, police, and EMTs) from New Jersey's 2.5% annual municipal budget cap. Municipalities could then increase these specific payroll costs without triggering the standard budget growth limit. The change directly affects local governments managing public safety staffing costs, providing budget flexibility for essential emergency services.
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The New Jersey Works Act creates a tax credit for businesses that fund pre-employment training programs targeting low- and moderate-income individuals for jobs in high-demand occupations. These programs must provide at least 12 weeks of paid training at minimum wage, covering skills like communication, job readiness, and career-specific instruction. The bill appropriates $1 million to support the initiative and requires training programs to be approved by the state, partner with schools or nonprofits, and exclude construction businesses. It directly affects qualifying businesses, educational institutions, and job seekers in targeted regions seeking career advancement opportunities.
This bill increases paid military leave for New Jersey public employees serving in U.S. military Reserves from 30 to 90 work days per year. It directly affects state, county, school district, and municipal employees who are members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps Reserves, or affiliated National Guard units. The key change allows these employees to take up to 90 paid work days for federal active duty, with any additional days provided without pay. Local employers can seek state reimbursement for costs incurred under this policy through the State Treasurer’s office. The change aligns benefits for out-of-state Reserve members with those already provided to New Jersey National Guard members.
This bill establishes two grant programs under New Jersey's Department of Labor to support workforce development in the cannabis industry. It creates a **Cannabis Certified Worker Grant Program** for training programs (e.g., retail, cultivation, manufacturing) and a **Social Equity Certified Worker Hiring Grant Program** to help businesses hire workers from underrepresented groups. Eligible applicants - including community organizations, colleges, and cannabis businesses - must partner with the industry, demonstrate workforce needs, and report on outcomes like enrollment, completion rates, and job placements for minorities, disabled veterans, and women. Funds cannot replace existing programs or displace current workers, and annual reports will track program effectiveness.
