Labor & Employment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4465: Institutes State contract set-aside program for union business enterprises.

This bill creates a program requiring New Jersey state agencies to reserve at least 22% of eligible contracts (for goods, construction, or services) for "union business enterprises." These are businesses based in New Jersey with union workforces, that hire apprentices, and document efforts to maintain diverse hiring. State agencies must verify businesses meet these criteria before awarding set-aside contracts, and they must develop annual plans to achieve the 22% goal through direct awards or subcontracting requirements. The program operates alongside existing set-aside programs and mandates consultation between agencies and the Department of the Treasury.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 3724: Provides personal liability for owner, executive officer, or executive director of employer for failure to pay for workers' compensation coverage.

This New Jersey bill creates an "uninsured employer's fund" to pay workers' compensation claims when employers fail to provide coverage. It requires insurance companies and self-insured employers to pay annual surcharges to maintain the fund, and imposes personal penalties on employers (including $1,000 plus 15% of the award per claim, capped at $5,000) for nonpayment. Owners, executives, or directors of uninsured employers face personal liability for these penalties, extending joint responsibility beyond the business itself. The fund ensures employees receive compensation from the state when employers default, while shifting the financial burden to noncompliant businesses and their leadership.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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

A 3673: Increases hourly limit of reimbursable personal care assistant services under NJ WorkAbility Program.

This bill increases the maximum weekly reimbursement limit for personal care assistant services under New Jersey's WorkAbility Program from 40 hours to 112 hours per calendar week. It directly affects employed, permanently disabled New Jersey residents who qualify for the program by meeting income thresholds (under 250% of federal poverty level for earned income) and having a disability certified by Social Security or the state. The key change allows these individuals to receive significantly more hours of covered personal care support through existing Medicaid contracts managed by the state. This adjustment aligns with federal Medicaid program requirements and aims to provide greater flexibility for participants in the WorkAbility Program.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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

A 1597: Concerns occupational safety and health for public employees of certain interstate authorities.

This bill extends New Jersey's Public Employees' Occupational Safety and Health Act to cover employees of specific interstate authorities. It amends compacts with New York and Pennsylvania to require the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Delaware River Joint Commission, Delaware River and Bay Authority, and Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission to be treated as "employers" under NJ's safety law. The bill mandates that the Governor negotiate supplemental agreements with these states to implement this coverage, ensuring employees of these agencies fall under NJ's (or a substantially similar PA/NY) safety standards. It directly affects public safety workers employed by these multi-state authorities, including police and firefighters. The legislation does not create new safety standards but applies existing protections to these specific entities.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 1760: Directs DOLWD to identify, and post on website, employment opportunities with minimal barriers to entry for persons returning to workforce after imprisonment.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to identify and publicly post on its website employment opportunities with minimal entry barriers for people returning to work after incarceration. It directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals who face employment challenges like employer stigma and lack of educational opportunities. The key mechanism is DOLWD's ongoing duty to list jobs that have low barriers to entry and high demand. The bill aims to improve reintegration into the workforce by making accessible job listings available to this population, without specifying how employers will be engaged or how success will be measured.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Workforce Development

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

A 2216: Requires several State agencies to review and increase, if authorized, income eligibility standards for certain public assistance, school nutrition, and higher education student financial assistance programs; makes an appropriation.

This bill (A2216) requires New Jersey's Department of Agriculture, Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, and Department of Human Services to review and update income eligibility limits for specific public assistance, school nutrition, and student financial aid programs. It mandates that if agencies have the authority and funding, they must increase income thresholds by the total percentage rise in the state minimum wage since 2019 (from $8.85 to $15.13) plus a cost-of-living adjustment based on Social Security benefits. The change directly affects low-income residents qualifying for programs like the National School Lunch Program, Community College Opportunity Grants, and public assistance benefits. The bill ensures these eligibility limits better reflect rising costs of living and minimum wage increases, without creating new programs or altering existing funding structures.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education Student Financial Aid Minimum Wage

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

A 1995: Establishes "Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program" and occupational heat stress standard in DOLWD.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor to establish a heat stress standard by June 2025, creating rules to protect workers from heat-related illness. It directly affects all employers in the state - including construction, agriculture, and indoor workplaces without climate control - by mandating written heat illness prevention plans. Key provisions include employer requirements for monitoring heat exposure, providing cool water (66-77°F or 35-65°F), paid rest breaks, shade or cooling areas, and emergency response protocols. The standard aims to address risks highlighted by rising temperatures and existing deaths from heat exposure, aligning with protections in other states like California and Oregon.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workplace Safety

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

A 3154: Prohibits terminal leave compensation for local government employees.

Bill A 3154 prohibits terminal leave compensation for local government employees in counties, municipalities, fire districts, and similar entities (excluding school districts) who have adopted New Jersey’s Title 11A civil service rules. It bans using accumulated administrative leave, vacation, sick leave, or longevity benefits for full pay during the terminal leave period before retirement. The bill also requires medical verification for employees using six or more consecutive sick days within 12 months of retirement eligibility, with improper use leading to deduction from retirement benefits. Employers may mandate physician examinations to verify medical necessity for sick leave claims.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Public Employees

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

A 3462: Establishes Office for Women's Advancement in DOLWD to facilitate full and equal participation of women in workplace; makes an appropriation.

This bill establishes the Office for Women’s Advancement within New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The office will directly support women in New Jersey workplaces by collecting data on issues like the gender pay gap, hiring practices, and work-family balance; collaborating with state agencies and groups like the Advisory Commission on the Status of Women; reviewing legislation for gender equity; and publishing reports and hosting events. It creates a dedicated "Women's Advancement Fund" to receive annual state appropriations and eligible federal or private funding for the office’s operations. The policy change creates a permanent state office focused on advancing gender equity in employment, career development, and workplace culture across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Workforce Development

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

A 3556: Allows gross income tax deduction for employees for amounts paid by employers for certain educational assistance programs for employees and for employee's student loans.

This New Jersey bill (A 3556) would allow employees to deduct from their gross income up to $5,250 annually in employer-paid educational assistance (like tuition, fees, or textbooks) and up to $5,250 in employer-paid student loan payments (principal or interest). It directly affects New Jersey employees who receive these benefits from their employers, matching the federal tax exclusion limit under Section 127 of the IRS code. The deduction applies to qualified higher education expenses (as defined by federal law) and student loans used for such expenses, excluding non-educational costs like hobbies. The bill is pending before the Assembly Higher Education Committee and would apply to taxable years starting after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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