Labor & Employment

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

A 1794: Excludes certain unemployment compensation recipients from paying civil service open competitive examination application and appeal fees.

This New Jersey bill (A 1794) waives civil service exam application and appeal fees for individuals receiving unemployment compensation benefits or whose benefits ended within the past six months. It directly affects unemployed New Jersey residents seeking state government jobs by removing a $25 application fee for open competitive exams and a $20 fee for appeals. The bill amends existing law to exempt these individuals from fees they would otherwise pay when applying for or appealing civil service positions. The policy change aims to reduce financial barriers for job seekers during unemployment, without altering benefit eligibility or creating new programs.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentWaives civil service exam fees for unemployment recipients, reducing financial barriers to state employment opportunities for unemployed workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees Unemployment Workers' Compensation

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

A 3822: Establishes State occupational safety and health standard for toilets at construction sites.

This bill establishes new state occupational safety standards for toilet facilities at New Jersey construction sites. It requires employers to provide at least one separate toilet facility for each gender per 20 employees (or fraction thereof), with exceptions for sites with four or fewer workers. The law mandates clean, well-maintained facilities with privacy, handwashing supplies (or sanitizer if water isn't available), and proper lighting for night work. These standards, which exceed current federal recommendations, apply to all construction employers - including state agencies - and take effect once New Jersey's proposed state OSH plan is approved by the federal government.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires clean, private, well-maintained toilet facilities with handwashing supplies, directly improving construction site workplace safety standards per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

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

A 1467: Establishes "Manufacturing Workforce Development Grant Program" for students enrolled at county colleges.

This bill creates a grant program to connect New Jersey county college students with paid manufacturing internships through partnerships with local manufacturers. County colleges applying for grants must partner with approved manufacturers, prioritize internships in high-demand occupations, and use 85% of grant funds for student stipends while reserving 15% for program administration and career counseling. Students who complete these internships earn academic credit toward their associate's degree and may receive job offers from participating manufacturers. The program requires annual reporting on participation numbers, skills gained, job placements, and fund usage to track outcomes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants with 85% for student stipends and academic credit for manufacturing internships at county colleges, directly funding higher education access and workforce development programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds paid manufacturing internships with 85% stipends for students, prioritizing high-demand occupations and connecting workers to employment opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Workforce Development

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

A 1434: Requires DOLWD to take measures to ensure State unemployment offices reopen immediately and remain open during and after public health emergency.

This bill (A-1434) mandates that New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) reopen all state unemployment offices by March 1, 2022, and keep them open during the public health emergency. It directly affects the DOLWD commissioner and senior leadership, who face salary cuts (5% every two weeks for the first month, then 10% monthly) if offices remain closed past the deadline. Funds from these salary reductions will go into a new "Unemployed Workers Compensation Fund." The bill requires a report on compliance within 90 days and expires once all offices reopen.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates reopening unemployment offices and creates Unemployed Workers Compensation Fund, directly expanding access to benefits during public health emergency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workers' Compensation Workforce Development

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

A 845: Restricts establishment of mandates to become vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); establishes reimbursement program to cover certain out-of-pocket costs incurred in obtaining COVID-19 vaccine.

This New Jersey bill prohibits most government entities, schools, and employers from requiring COVID-19 vaccination for the general public. It exempts healthcare workers and others at licensed health facilities who must get vaccinated to work with medically vulnerable patients, maintaining existing exemptions for medical or religious reasons. The bill also creates a state reimbursement program for healthcare workers to cover out-of-pocket vaccine costs not covered by insurance, requiring them to certify the expense causes financial hardship and isn't a standard insurance copay. Eligibility requires verifying costs aren't covered by health benefits, employer coverage, or standard insurance cost-sharing.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts vaccine mandates (public health policy) while offering limited reimbursement for healthcare workers' costs, primarily limiting a healthcare mandate.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prohibits most employers from mandating COVID-19 vaccines, protecting workers' autonomy over medical decisions in employment context.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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

A 1769: Establishes Water Apprenticeship, Training, and Employment Resources (WATER) Pilot Program in DOLWD; appropriates $1 million.

This bill establishes a five-year WATER Pilot Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor, appropriating $1 million to fund water-sector apprenticeships. It directly affects eligible organizations - such as businesses, unions, colleges, nonprofits, and public utilities - that run accredited water-related training programs (e.g., for wastewater workers) and partner with industry. Key provisions require applicants to demonstrate U.S. Department of Labor accreditation, secure industry partnerships, and prioritize underserved communities, with grants covering program costs. Grantees must report annually on participant enrollment, completion, and job placement, while the Department must evaluate the program’s effectiveness yearly.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds water-sector apprenticeships (e.g., wastewater workers), supporting environmental protection through workforce training for pollution control and infrastructure maintenance.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds water-sector apprenticeships via DOLWD, advancing workforce training and employment opportunities for workers in accredited programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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

A 986: Revises law on extended employment programs for persons with disabilities.

This bill revises New Jersey's law governing employment programs for people with disabilities, renaming it the "Extended Employment Act" and updating terminology (e.g., replacing "sheltered workshop" with "extended employment"). It directly affects individuals with significant disabilities who choose these programs, as well as nonprofit providers offering vocational services. Key provisions include defining "extended employment" as community-based work opportunities with flexible service models (like retail or restaurants), requiring nonprofit providers to be nationally accredited, and tying state funding to inflation (CPI-W) rather than fixed amounts. The law also expands program goals to include competitive integrated employment and requires providers to submit annual expense analyses for funding adjustments.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentUpdates employment programs for disabled workers to community-based 'extended employment' models, enhancing access and standards per bill's focus on service improvements for this group.90% confidence

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

A 4359: Provides corporation business and gross income tax credit for employment of persons who have experienced job loss due to automation.

This bill creates a tax credit for New Jersey businesses that hire workers displaced by automation. Businesses with headquarters in New Jersey can claim a credit equal to 10% of the wages paid to each qualifying employee (capped at $2,500 per employee per tax year), provided the employee was previously laid off due to automation and is retained for at least seven months. The credit applies to both corporation business tax and gross income tax, and the bill defines "automation" as systems replacing human labor without continuous human input. It directly affects New Jersey employers and workers who lost jobs to automation, particularly in counties like Ocean County where many high-risk jobs exist.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing business tax liability for hiring automation-displaced workers, aligning with fiscal support measures for workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides tax credit to hire workers displaced by automation, directly supporting employment for affected workers and incentivizing job creation in labor market transition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits

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

A 3116: Establishes nurse aide workforce development program.

This bill establishes a New Jersey nurse aide workforce development program to support individuals seeking certification. It requires the Department of Health to provide clear information on certification benefits, requirements, and cost-free competency evaluations for nurse aides employed by or offered jobs at long-term care facilities. The program also details employer reimbursement rules: facilities must cover training costs for new hires within 12 months, and employers cannot charge for training if an aide leaves voluntarily or involuntarily. A separate one-year pilot reimburses up to 25% of training costs for completed courses. All resources will be posted on a dedicated Department of Health website.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates employer reimbursement for nurse aide training, provides cost-free competency evaluations, and supports certification - directly strengthening healthcare workforce development in long-term care facilities.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employers to cover training costs and provides cost-free evaluations, reducing financial barriers for nurse aides seeking certification and supporting workforce development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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

A 812: Establishes construction workforce recruitment and training program in DOLWD.

This bill establishes New Jersey's "Go Build" program within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to connect residents with construction careers. It requires the program to provide training for construction trades, recruit workers for jobs and training, and promote opportunities through public education, marketing, and partnerships with construction companies and schools. The program must also consult with similar initiatives in Alabama and Georgia, and the department must submit a five-year evaluation report to the Governor and Legislature. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents seeking construction jobs, training providers, and the state's construction industry. It is a proposed program (not yet enacted) focused on expanding access to construction careers through structured recruitment and training.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates workforce training program to connect residents with construction careers, promoting job opportunities and skills development in the sector.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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