Labor & Employment (Unemployment) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 257: Excludes certain unemployment compensation recipients from paying civil service open competitive examination application and appeal fees.

New Jersey bill S 257 would exempt individuals receiving unemployment compensation benefits or whose benefits ended within the past six months from paying application and appeal fees for civil service job exams. Specifically, it removes the $25 application fee for open competitive exams and the $20 appeal fee for these individuals, as outlined in amended Section 1 of P.L.1992, c.197. The bill directly affects unemployed New Jersey residents currently or recently receiving unemployment benefits, removing a financial barrier to applying for state government jobs. Fees collected under this exemption would continue to fund civil service operations as specified in the existing law. This is a policy change to improve access to state employment for unemployed residents, not a change to unemployment benefits themselves.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees Unemployment Workers' Compensation

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 2782: Clarifies choice of independent contractor status for certain licensed or regulated professionals.

S 2782 clarifies that certain licensed or regulated professionals in New Jersey may be treated as independent contractors under state law if they have a written agreement designating them as such. It directly affects insurance producers, securities professionals (broker-dealers, agents, investment advisers), freight drivers at marine terminals/rail facilities meeting specific unemployment exemption criteria, and others meeting defined criteria under unemployment law. The bill prevents these professionals from being classified as employees for any purpose under state law during the term of their written agreement and eliminates the need for them to satisfy additional tests (like those under wage and hour laws) to maintain independent contractor status. It applies retroactively to all existing written agreements for these professionals.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 174: Prohibits public disclosure of names and addresses in certain unemployment, temporary disability, and family leave claim appeals documents.

This bill (S 174) prohibits public disclosure of personal identifying information - such as names and addresses - in appeals documents related to unemployment, temporary disability, and family leave claims. It directly affects individuals who file these appeals by keeping their personal details confidential in public records. The key mechanism requires state agencies to redact or withhold such information from documents made available under open records laws. This amendment updates existing confidentiality protections under New Jersey law to specifically cover these types of benefit appeals. The bill does not change eligibility rules or benefit amounts, only how personal data is handled in appeal records.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Unemployment Data Privacy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 275: Requires cost analysis in certain cases when State department contracts out work.

New Jersey's S 275 requires state departments to conduct a cost analysis before contracting out work usually performed by state employees for amounts over $100,000. This analysis must compare the cost of using private contractors versus state workers, including labor, benefits, equipment, and potential unemployment costs for displaced workers. Departments must also provide a resource analysis showing if the state can perform the work internally and file both analyses with the Office of Management and Budget for public review. The bill aims to ensure contracting only occurs if it saves significant state funds without harming public interest, while prohibiting contracts with firms whose leaders previously worked for the relevant state department. This directly affects state agencies, their employees, and union bargaining units when considering outsourcing.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Procurement Collective Bargaining Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 910: Establishes "Bring Veterans to New Jersey Program."

S 910 establishes the "Bring Veterans to New Jersey Program" to help New Jersey employers recruit veterans by covering relocation costs. The program reimburses participating employers up to $5,000 per veteran for eligible expenses (like moving costs), provided veterans accept a job with the employer and work there for at least 12 months. Veterans must create profiles through a contracted nonprofit to connect with employers, and employers must pay relocation costs upfront before seeking state reimbursement. If a veteran leaves before 12 months due to circumstances beyond their control (e.g., layoff or family emergency), the state may forgive part or all of the repayment. This directly affects New Jersey employers who join the program and veterans relocating to work in the state.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Unemployment Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 36: Urges Congress to exempt unemployment insurance and certain leave benefits from federal taxation.

This New Jersey Senate resolution (SR 36) urges Congress to exempt unemployment insurance benefits and two types of disability leave benefits (family temporary disability leave and temporary disability leave) from federal taxation. It directly affects individuals receiving these benefits during unemployment, illness, injury, or caregiving for a family member, who currently face federal tax burdens on income they rely on during financial hardship. The resolution argues taxing these benefits worsens financial strain on vulnerable people already managing limited incomes. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change tax law but calls on federal lawmakers to act.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1853: Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits to small business employers and farm employers for increases in certain mandatory employer contributions.

This New Jersey bill (S 1853) provides tax credits to small business employers (fewer than 25 employees, under $1 million annual revenue) and farm employers for increased mandatory insurance costs. It allows a credit equal to the difference between current-year costs for workers' compensation, disability, and unemployment insurance versus the prior year’s costs for the same employees/wages, capped at $12,000 annually. The credit applies to corporation business tax and gross income tax filings for tax periods starting January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2029. Businesses cannot use the same costs for other tax credits or incentives during overlapping periods.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Unemployment Tags Small Business

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2734: Provides gross income tax exclusion for capital gains from sale of certain employer securities by qualified businesses that result in net positive benefit to State.

This bill allows business owners in New Jersey to exclude capital gains tax from selling company shares to employee ownership structures, specifically benefiting small businesses (under 500 employees, not publicly traded, with NJ headquarters). To qualify, the sale must transfer ownership to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), a NJ S-corp owned by an ESOP, or a worker-owned cooperative, with employees gaining at least 30% ownership after the transaction. The tax exclusion requires pre-approval from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), which verifies the deal will retain full-time NJ jobs and yield a net economic benefit to the state (measured by retained tax revenue and reduced unemployment claims). It aims to incentivize small business owners to sell to employees instead of outside buyers, preserving local jobs and state tax revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Revenue Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1959: Concerns vaccine mandates and eligibility for unemployment benefits for certain health care workers.

This bill (S 1959) prevents healthcare workers from being denied unemployment benefits if they leave or are terminated due to refusing to comply with New Jersey's 2022 vaccine mandate for healthcare settings (Executive Order 283). It ensures workers who are otherwise eligible for benefits cannot be disqualified solely because they left employment over vaccine non-compliance. The law applies retroactively to claims filed after January 19, 2022, and expires one year after enactment. It directly affects healthcare workers in facilities covered by the mandate who face termination or resignation over vaccination requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 62: Declares Department of Labor and Workforce Development new rules concerning employment status test for independent contractors inconsistent with legislative intent.

SCR 62 is a concurrent resolution (not a bill) declaring the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development's proposed rules for applying the ABC test inconsistent with legislative intent. The resolution targets specific proposed rule changes (e.g., N.J.A.C. 12:11-1.3(c)(2)(i)(3), 12:11-1.5(h)) that would make it harder for workers, particularly in the gig economy (like ride-share drivers), to qualify as independent contractors by redefining standard business practices (e.g., using apps or insurance) as indicators of employer control. It asserts these rules contradict the original ABC test’s purpose - establishing clear, consistent standards for worker classification under unemployment compensation law (R.S.43:21-19) - by creating an unintended presumption of employee status. The Legislature has formally instructed the Department to withdraw or revise the rules within 30 days.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Unemployment Workforce Development

All labor & employment bills