Labor & Employment in New Jersey

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

A 1988: The "Farm Labor Equality Act."

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3611: Requires payment of prevailing wage for certain data center construction.

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 The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.335, so it is not currently in effect.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workplace Safety

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

A 1880: Permits reimbursement of COBRA health benefit costs of survivors of certain deceased public safety employees; appropriates $750,000.

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.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Insurance

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

A 1009: Excludes salaries and wages for emergency response personnel from municipal appropriations cap.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Tags Public Safety

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

A 2494: "New Jersey Works Act"; concerns businesses and pre-employment training programs; provides tax credit to businesses supporting pre-employment training programs; appropriates $1 million.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Apprenticeships Minimum Wage Workforce Development

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

A 3036: Increases days of paid military leave for certain public employees who serve in United States Reserves.

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education Veteran Employment

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

A 1813: Establishes Cannabis Certified Worker Grant Program and Social Equity Certified Worker Hiring Grant Program; makes appropriation.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Workforce Development

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

A 1477: Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for employers of certain persons with disabilities.

This bill creates a tax credit for New Jersey employers who hire qualified individuals with disabilities. Employers can claim a 15% credit on wages paid to these employees (up to $2,000 per employee annually), provided the worker meets ADA criteria, works at least 35 hours weekly at $15+ per hour, and is not an independent contractor. To qualify, employers must apply for certification through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, which must approve applications within 90 days. The credit applies to both corporation business tax and gross income tax returns, with limits preventing credits from reducing tax liability below the statutory minimum.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Gig Economy Professional Licensing Tags People with Disabilities

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

A 2367: Requires public service employer to certify employment of qualifying employees under federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program; requires Secretary of Higher Education to develop materials to promote Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

This New Jersey bill requires public service employers (like schools, local governments, and public libraries) to certify employees' eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. It specifically mandates that educators receive credit for 3.35 hours worked per hour of classroom time when calculating full-time status for loan forgiveness purposes. The bill also directs the state’s Secretary of Higher Education to create and distribute plain-language materials explaining the program to all public service employees annually. These materials include standardized letters, fact sheets, and FAQs to help employees navigate the federal program. The law directly affects public sector workers with federal student loans seeking forgiveness after 10 years of qualifying service.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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

A 1498: Implements recommendations of State Comptroller report on municipal sick leave, vacation leave, and supplemental payment policies; establishes certain financial penalties.

This bill implements recommendations from a State Comptroller report to standardize municipal sick leave, vacation leave, and supplemental payment policies across New Jersey. It requires municipalities to align their policies with existing laws (P.L.2007, c.92; P.L.2010, c.3), prevents collective bargaining agreements from weakening these policies, and mandates public posting of all supplemental payment policies and individual payment approvals online or through public meetings. Municipalities must also publish supporting documentation for extra payments (beyond regular wages) in local newspapers and online, with public comment periods. Noncompliant municipalities face financial penalties, including annual withholding of property tax relief aid until policies are corrected.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

All labor & employment bills