Labor & Employment in New Jersey

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1066: Permits certain local units to enter into project labor agreements for public works projects below $5 million threshold.

This bill allows municipalities, counties, school districts, and fire districts in New Jersey to use project labor agreements (pre-hire union agreements for construction projects) on public works projects costing less than $5 million - previously requiring a $5 million minimum. It directly affects local governments and construction contractors by expanding their ability to negotiate such agreements for smaller projects. Key provisions let these entities choose to include project labor agreements for projects below the $5 million threshold, while still requiring adherence to prevailing wage laws and labor standards. The change applies only to the specified local entities and does not alter the existing $5 million threshold for other public works projects. The bill was withdrawn after being incorporated into a previously approved law (P.L.2025, c.327).

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

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

A 1642: Establishes protection from adverse employment action for authorized medical cannabis patients.

This New Jersey bill (A 1642) protects registered medical cannabis patients from employment discrimination. It prohibits employers from taking adverse actions (like firing, refusing to hire, or changing pay) based solely on an employee’s medical cannabis use or positive drug test, unless the employer proves the use impaired job performance. Employees with a valid medical cannabis card can explain a positive test by providing a doctor’s recommendation or card within three business days, and may request a retest at their own expense. The law does not override federal restrictions, allowing employers to still enforce rules against intoxicating substances during work hours or if federal funding is at risk.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

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

A 1374: Extends child care subsidies to families earning up to 300 percent of federal poverty level; appropriates funds.

This bill expands New Jersey's child care subsidy program to cover families with annual incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level (currently $83,250 for a family of four), directly affecting working parents of children under age 13. It establishes four income tiers for eligibility and sliding-scale payments to licensed child care providers, ensuring subsidies don't drop below pandemic-era rates. The bill appropriates state funds for implementation and requires the state to seek federal matching funds. It replaces the previous 200% income cap, significantly broadening access to subsidized care for middle-income families.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

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

A 872: Prohibits discrimination against individuals who have not received COVID-19 vaccine.

This bill (A 872) prohibits requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or asking about vaccination status as a condition for accessing many services or activities. It directly affects individuals who have not been vaccinated by making it illegal for employers, schools, healthcare providers, businesses, and public venues to deny access, employment, or services based on vaccine status or refusal to disclose it. Key provisions ban such requirements across 15 areas, including employment, education, healthcare, business entry, and public spaces. Violators face civil penalties of $25,000 plus attorney fees for each violation. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Health

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

A 3589: Revises registered apprenticeship requisites of public works contractors and creates opt-out from participation in registered apprenticeship program for public works projects.

This bill allows public works contractors in New Jersey to opt out of participating in registered apprenticeship programs by paying an annual $1,000 fee per craft classification. Contractors choosing this option must still pay all craftworkers at least the prevailing journeyman wage rate. The opt-out fees are split equally: 50% funds workforce development programs for underserved communities, and 50% provides micro-grants to female, minority, and veteran-owned construction firms. Contractors not opting out must register with the state, verify their apprenticeship program meets federal standards (29 C.F.R. sections), and provide documentation of compliance.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4415: Concerns eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits for crossing guards.

This bill clarifies that adult school crossing guards in New Jersey must receive written notice by May 15 if their appointment will not be renewed to qualify for unemployment benefits during the gap between school terms or school holidays. Without this notice (meaning they were not informed of non-renewal and expected reappointment), they are ineligible for benefits during those periods. The bill maintains existing requirements for crossing guards, such as residency, health, and good moral character. It does not change other unemployment benefit rules but specifically adjusts eligibility for this group of seasonal workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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

A 3292: Permits certain cities to transfer a portion of its public employees from a locally-administered health benefits program to SHBP.

This bill (A3292) allows New Jersey's largest cities (first-class municipalities with over 150,000 residents) to transfer only some public employees from their local health benefits program into the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), rather than requiring all employees to switch at once. It mandates that cities provide affected employees with 45 days' written notice before switching providers and share detailed plan comparisons of both current and proposed benefits. The change applies specifically to cities that choose to use this option via a formal resolution, while retaining local control over other employees' coverage. This modifies existing rules that previously required full, all-or-nothing transitions for municipalities.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3579: Provides same military service credit for compensation purposes to noncertificated employees of school districts that is provided to certificated employees under current law.

This bill (S 3579) extends military service credit for compensation purposes to noncertificated school district employees (such as administrators or support staff) who are hired on or after the bill's effective date. Currently, certificated employees (like teachers) receive this credit, but noncertificated staff did not. The bill provides that eligible noncertificated employees will receive equivalent credit for military service toward compensation increments, limited to four increments. This applies only to new hires and does not reduce existing benefits under other laws.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

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

A 1757: Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for businesses that employ formerly incarcerated individuals.

This bill proposes a New Jersey tax credit for businesses that hire formerly incarcerated individuals. Businesses would receive a 10% credit on qualified wages paid to these employees (capped at $1,200 per person per tax year), provided they hire at least 25% formerly incarcerated new employees and maintain 50% of those hires from the previous year. To qualify, employees must be in sustained employment (at least 185 business days) and businesses must conduct targeted recruitment for formerly incarcerated individuals and their immediate families. The bill includes safeguards against abuse, such as denying credits if businesses displace other workers solely to claim the credit, and prevents double-dipping with other state tax credits.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits

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

A 995: Requires continued employment for physicians diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder under certain conditions.

This bill protects physicians in New Jersey from employment retaliation related to work-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It prohibits employers from firing, discriminating against, or threatening physicians who take leave for a qualifying PTSD diagnosis, requiring reinstatement to their previous role after fitness is documented by an outside licensed professional. A diagnosis qualifies only if it stems from work-related trauma (directly experiencing/witnessing events or vicarious trauma from patient care) and is verified by a healthcare provider other than the physician. Violations allow employees to sue for remedies including reinstatement, back pay, and civil fines of $5,000 for first offenses or $10,000 for repeat violations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

All labor & employment bills