Labor & Employment in New Jersey

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

A 2425: Establishes educational service agencies for procuring custodial and food services in schools and ensures certain employee rights for affected employees.

This bill creates county-level educational service agencies (ESAs) that school districts must use to procure custodial and food services. It requires all school districts in a county to join the local ESA, which will negotiate master contracts for these services - replacing direct contracts between schools and private vendors. The bill specifically protects service employees (like cafeteria workers and custodians) by guaranteeing "recall rights," ensuring they can return to their previous jobs in seniority order if their former contractor is replaced by the ESA. This affects school districts, private service contractors, and approximately 10,000+ food/custodial workers across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

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

A 3646: Establishes Nuclear Energy Apprenticeship, Training, and Employment Resources Pilot Program in DOLWD; appropriates $1 million.

This bill establishes a 5-year Nuclear Energy Apprenticeship Pilot Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor, funded with $1 million. It provides grants to eligible entities like colleges, unions, and businesses that operate or plan nuclear energy apprenticeships approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, with a focus on underserved communities and nuclear waste workers. To receive funding, applicants must partner with industry, demonstrate financial commitment, and show how the program addresses workforce gaps. Grantees must report annually on participant enrollment, completion, and job placement, while the Department of Labor will evaluate the program's effectiveness yearly. The program aims to train workers for nuclear energy infrastructure, utilities, and related sectors through structured apprenticeships.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Nuclear Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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

A 2955: Provides employers with various tax incentives for hiring persons with disabilities under insurance premiums tax, corporation business tax and gross income tax.

This bill (A 2955) proposes tax incentives for New Jersey employers who hire individuals with disabilities. It would allow employers to claim credits against insurance premiums tax, corporation business tax, and gross income tax, including: 30% of the first $6,000 in wages for a new employee with a disability during their first year (20% in the second year), up to $600 for work-related transportation costs, and small business access improvement credits. The credits would apply only to employees certified by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services as meeting the federal ADA definition of disability. The bill is pending before the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tags People with Disabilities

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

A 3074: Establishes Inclusive Workplaces Program in EDA to provide grants and tax credits to encourage employer investment in workspaces inclusive of neurodivergent employees; appropriates $2.5 million.

This bill establishes the Inclusive Workplaces Program within New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide financial support for employers creating inclusive environments for neurodivergent employees. It offers grants of up to $25,000 per small business (employing fewer than 150 people) and tax credits (up to $25,000 or 50% of eligible investments) for large businesses (150+ employees), both requiring at least one or three neurodivergent employees respectively. Key provisions include funding for sensory-friendly workspace adjustments, adaptive equipment, and staff training programs, with a total annual appropriation of $2.5 million. The program requires employers to apply and demonstrate specific workplace investments before receiving support.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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

A 4435: Establishes "Employment First Commission."

This bill establishes the "Employment First Commission" within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The commission, made up of 17 members including state agency heads and representatives from disability organizations, individuals with disabilities, and advocates, will focus on improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Its key duties include analyzing employment data, identifying service gaps, making recommendations to state agencies, and developing an online resource hub for disability employment information. The commission directly affects individuals with disabilities seeking competitive integrated employment - meaning work in regular workplaces at fair wages - and the state agencies that provide related services.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Tags People with Disabilities

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

A 2046: Provides gross income tax deduction to eligible educators and paraprofessionals for expense of classroom supplies.

This bill allows eligible New Jersey educators (K-12 teachers, counselors, principals) and paraprofessionals (school aides) to deduct up to $250 of unreimbursed classroom supply expenses from their gross income tax. It covers costs like books, computers, software, and classroom materials, but excludes nonathletic supplies for health or physical education classes. To qualify, individuals must work at least 900 hours annually in a New Jersey public or private elementary/secondary school. The deduction applies to taxable years starting after the bill's enactment date.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax K-12 Education Teachers

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

A 1316: Expands Tuition Aid Grant program to include workforce training programs.

This bill expands New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant Program to cover eligible workforce training programs, directly affecting students seeking non-degree credentials in high-demand fields. To qualify, programs must require 150+ classroom hours, offer industry-valued credentials, and maintain 70%+ completion and job placement rates. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will designate eligible programs and set participation rules, while institutions must report program success metrics. This change allows workforce training participants to access state aid previously limited to degree-granting programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid Workforce Development

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

A 1128: Requires membership of boards of trustees of State colleges and universities and county colleges to include two college employees.

This bill requires boards of trustees at New Jersey State colleges/universities and county colleges to include two employee members. These members must be recommended by labor organizations representing staff, appointed by the Governor, and serve two-year terms (with initial one-year terms for some). Employee members have full voting rights except on matters involving staff employment or working conditions. The law directly affects all State and county college boards by mandating staff representation on governance bodies.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jul 22, 2026

A 1516: Exempts poll workers wages from affecting unemployment compensation.

This bill exempts wages earned by poll workers during election cycles from being counted when calculating an individual's unemployment benefits. It directly affects poll workers who may otherwise have their unemployment compensation reduced due to income earned from temporary election work. The key provision amends New Jersey's unemployment law to exclude poll workers' wages from the "annual payroll" calculation used to determine benefit eligibility. This change ensures poll workers can receive full unemployment benefits without their election-season earnings affecting their claim. The bill focuses solely on adjusting the calculation method for this specific group of workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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

A 1829: Prohibits non-compete clauses.

This New Jersey bill prohibits non-compete clauses for most workers (non-senior executives, defined as those earning under $151,164 annually), banning both new clauses and the enforcement of existing ones. Employers must notify affected workers in writing within 30 business days of the bill’s effective date that non-compete clauses cannot be enforced. For senior executives (earning $151,164+ annually), the bill only prohibits new non-compete clauses and enforcement of clauses entered after the effective date, without affecting existing clauses for this group. The bill does not change other employment terms or benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

All labor & employment bills