Labor & Employment in New Jersey

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

A 1511: Clarifies choice of independent contractor status for certain licensed or regulated professionals.

This bill clarifies that certain licensed professionals in New Jersey may be treated as independent contractors under state law if they have a written agreement designating them as such. It specifically applies to licensed insurance producers, securities professionals (like broker-dealers and investment advisers), freight drivers at marine terminals/rail facilities meeting unemployment law exemptions, and others meeting specific criteria. The law prevents these professionals from being reclassified as employees for any purpose under state law during the term of their written agreement and prohibits requiring additional tests to maintain independent contractor status. It applies retroactively to all existing agreements for enforcement purposes.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Unemployment

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

A 2041: The "New Jersey Intern Protection Act"; provides legal protections and remedies for persons engaged in internships with employers.

The New Jersey Intern Protection Act (Bill A 2041) proposes to extend the state’s anti-discrimination protections to include interns in all employment-related contexts. It amends existing civil rights law (P.L.1945, c.169) to explicitly define "intern" as any individual performing temporary work that provides training or experience, regardless of whether they are paid. This would directly affect interns (both paid and unpaid) and employers across New Jersey, prohibiting discrimination based on protected characteristics like race, gender, or disability in internship opportunities. The bill, currently referred to the Assembly Labor Committee, aims to integrate interns into existing legal remedies for discrimination under New Jersey’s civil rights framework.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

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

A 3416: Establishes workplace policies on employees' right to disconnect from work.

This New Jersey bill requires most private and public employers to create written policies granting employees the right to ignore work communications during nonworking hours (defined as hours outside an employee's scheduled shift). Exceptions include emergencies (threatening safety or operations) or last-minute scheduling changes, which must be agreed upon in writing. Employers who repeatedly violate this right (three or more documented cases) face civil penalties of at least $100 per violation. The law excludes employees covered by collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

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

A 1045: Revises workers' compensation coverage for certain injuries to volunteer and professional public safety and law enforcement personnel.

This bill (A 1045) revises New Jersey's workers' compensation law to expand coverage for cardiovascular or cerebrovascular injuries or deaths occurring during emergency response or recovery. It directly affects volunteer and professional public safety personnel, including volunteer emergency management members, career EMTs/paramedics (even in private sector roles), and 9-1-1 dispatchers - expanding coverage beyond current law. The key change creates a rebuttable presumption that such injuries are work-related if they occur while responding to, or within 24 hours of remediating, a defined emergency (like fire suppression, medical rescue, or criminal apprehension). Rebuttal requires clear medical evidence showing work wasn't a substantial cause, or evidence of factors like intoxication or self-infliction. The law applies immediately to all pending cases.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Tags Public Safety

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

A 3653: Requires preservation of employee benefits and contractual rights as condition of sale of Atlantic City International Airport.

This bill requires that if the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) sells or leases the Atlantic City International Airport, the sale or lease terms must preserve employees' existing rights and benefits. Specifically, it mandates that employees retain all benefits under current union contracts, civil service status (if applicable), pension credits, and accumulated leave (such as sick or vacation time) transferred to the new owner or operator. The bill also requires that current employee representatives continue to serve affected employees until they choose new representatives through formal processes. These provisions directly protect SJTA airport employees and their employment conditions during ownership changes.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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

A 4091: Concerns discrimination based on membership in a labor organization.

This bill amends New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on membership in a labor organization, such as a union or employee representation group. It clarifies the definition of "labor organization" to include any group formed for collective bargaining, grievance resolution, or mutual aid related to employment. The change ensures employees cannot face unfair treatment (e.g., in hiring, promotion, or termination) due to their union affiliation. This applies to all employers covered by the law, including state and local government entities, and aligns existing protections with current labor practices. The bill does not create new prohibitions but makes the law's coverage of labor organization membership clear and enforceable.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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

A 156: "New Jersey Jobs Protection Act"; requires verification of employment.

This bill requires New Jersey employers to verify the work authorization of all employees using the federal E-Verify system. It prohibits employers from knowingly employing unauthorized aliens and imposes a $10,000 penalty per violation. Employers found in violation must terminate unauthorized employment, submit quarterly E-Verify reports for three years, and pay fines to the state general fund. The law targets employers who hire undocumented workers, aiming to protect legal residents' job opportunities and state tax revenues.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics State Budget Work Authorization

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

A 1793: Establishes "Recovery Tax Credit Program"; incentivizes hiring and continued employment of certain individuals in recovery from substance use disorder.

This New Jersey bill (A 1793) creates a "Recovery Tax Credit Program" that provides tax incentives to employers who hire and retain individuals recovering from substance use disorders. Employers must become "certified" by meeting requirements like partnering with recovery providers and offering qualifying health insurance. Certified employers can claim tax credits up to $2,000 per eligible employee (based on hours worked, minimum 500 hours), with a total annual budget cap of $2 million. The program directly affects employers in New Jersey and individuals in recovery who meet the defined eligibility criteria.

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

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Insurance Substance Abuse

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

A 1942: Provides credits against corporation business and gross income taxes for certain employers that invest in human capital.

This bill (A 1942) provides tax credits to small New Jersey businesses that invest in employee job training. Qualified employers (businesses with under $2.5 million annual revenue, operating in NJ for fewer than 10 years, and employing NJ workers) can claim a 10% credit on training costs, up to $2,000 per employee annually. The credit applies to both corporation business tax and gross income tax, requires training to lead to industry-recognized credentials, and can be claimed for a maximum of five years. It does not reduce tax liability below the statutory minimum or zero.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Workforce Development

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

A 2173: Establishes recruitment and referral program for certain individuals and extends certain provisions of law concerning affirmative action in public works contracts to workers with disabilities.

This New Jersey bill expands affirmative action requirements in public works contracting to specifically include workers with disabilities. It defines "affirmative action" as good-faith efforts to ensure equal employment opportunities for workers with disabilities (alongside existing requirements for women and minority groups), without mandating hiring quotas. Contractors and subcontractors with more than five employees must submit programs guaranteeing employment opportunities for workers with disabilities, similar to current rules for racial and ethnic minorities. Additionally, the bill creates a new recruitment program through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to connect workers with disabilities to private sector jobs.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

All labor & employment bills