Labor & Employment in New Jersey

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

A 2439: Establishes NJ Life Sciences Training and Development Program in DOLWD.

This bill proposes establishing the New Jersey Life Sciences Training and Development Program within the existing Workforce Development Partnership Fund. It allocates 2% of the fund's resources (from designated workforce development revenues) to this program, which would be managed by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development in collaboration with the Economic Development Authority and Higher Education. The program aims to provide training and development opportunities for workers in the life sciences sector, directly supporting job readiness and career advancement in this industry. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Health Infrastructure Committee after its introduction on January 13, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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

A 930: Permits union officials who represent probation officers to participate in all union activities.

This bill allows union officers representing probation officers, supervisors, and related Judiciary staff in New Jersey to participate in union activities - including lobbying, using union funds, and engaging in partisan political activity - while on full-time leave under state law. It specifically applies to officers serving on behalf of collective bargaining units for these judicial employees. The law overrides prior restrictions that might have prevented such participation. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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

A 3620: Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits to farm employers for providing lodging or transportation benefits.

This New Jersey bill (A 3620) provides tax credits to farm employers who offer lodging or transportation benefits to their employees. Farm employers can claim up to $250 per employee for qualifying lodging (must be on-site, required for employment, and provided for at least six weeks) and up to $500 per employee for transportation benefits (reimbursing actual costs like transit or fuel). The credits apply to both corporation business tax and gross income tax, but cannot exceed 50% of the employer’s tax liability. It directly affects New Jersey farm businesses that provide these specific employee benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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

AJR 13: Establishes "Commission on Apprenticeship Program Promotion."

AJR 13 establishes a 7-member "Commission on Apprenticeship Program Promotion" in New Jersey. The commission, appointed by state leaders and agency heads, will study effective ways to promote apprenticeship programs to high school students, focusing on demonstrating the value of the skills gained and resulting economic opportunities. It must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of formation, after which the commission will dissolve. The bill does not create new programs or funding but directs a study on improving outreach to students. This procedural resolution affects high school students and stakeholders in apprenticeship programs by initiating a formal review of promotion strategies.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Apprenticeships

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3263: Regulates use of artificial intelligence-enabled video interview in hiring process.

This New Jersey bill (S 3263) requires employers using AI to analyze video job interviews to first inform applicants about the AI's role, explain how it evaluates candidates, and obtain written consent. Employers must delete applicant videos upon request within 30 days and cannot share videos except with necessary service providers. The bill also mandates employers to collect and report race/ethnicity data on applicants who receive in-person interviews or job offers to the Department of Labor, which will annually assess for racial bias in AI hiring. If passed, it would directly affect job seekers and employers in New Jersey using AI for video interviews.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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

A 1202: Revises calculation of daily benefit rate under temporary disability and family temporary disability leave.

This bill changes how New Jersey temporary disability and family leave benefits are calculated for workers. Starting July 1, 2020, it increases the weekly benefit rate from two-thirds (66%) to 85% of an individual's average weekly wage, with a new cap of 70% of the statewide average wage (up from 53%). It also clarifies that daily benefits will be calculated based directly on the weekly rate, rather than using a one-seventh fraction. This directly affects workers in New Jersey who qualify for temporary disability or family leave benefits after the effective date. The change increases potential benefit amounts for eligible workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workers' Compensation

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

A 3491: Permits companion to receive PFRS accidental death pension when there is no surviving spouse; requires adjustment of final compensation for calculation of accidental death benefit for surviving spouse, companion, and children of PFRS members.

This bill expands accidental death benefits for survivors of New Jersey Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) members. It allows a "companion" (defined as an unmarried, cohabiting partner meeting specific criteria) to receive the 70% pension benefit - previously reserved for surviving spouses - when no spouse exists. The bill also requires adjusting the deceased member’s final retirement pay to calculate benefits for all survivors, including spouses, companions, and children. It applies to deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2023, with retroactive payments for eligible companions if approved within six months of the bill’s effective date. The bill is pending before the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

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

A 3632: Allocates $50 million to Department of Labor and Workforce Development from federal government assistance to improve unemployment insurance benefit claims processing capacity.

This bill allocates $50 million in existing federal pandemic relief funds to New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The funds will directly improve the unemployment insurance (UI) program's ability to process claims faster, addressing delays caused by the pandemic-era surge in filings. Key mechanisms include using the money for technology upgrades and hiring temporary staff to handle the backlog. The department must submit an implementation plan to the Legislature within 20 days of the bill taking effect. The bill does not change UI eligibility or benefit amounts, only the processing capacity.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

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

A 680: Prohibits local units of government from adopting increased minimum wage and mandatory paid sick leave for private employers.

This bill prohibits New Jersey cities, counties, and their agencies from enacting minimum wage increases or mandatory paid sick leave requirements for private employers, including contractors and vendors working with local governments. It declares any local ordinance on these employment conditions "null and void," requiring the state to set uniform standards instead of allowing local variations. The bill does not change the existing state minimum wage (currently set at $15.00/hour for most workers by 2028), but prevents local governments from imposing higher rates or additional paid leave rules. It directly affects local governments' authority and private employers operating within the state.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage Paid Leave

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

A 4197: Requires law enforcement agencies to adopt pregnancy policy for law enforcement officers.

Bill A4197 requires all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to create written pregnancy policies for female officers who have completed probation. The bill ensures officers can continue full-duty work until medical concerns arise, mandates non-hazardous "maternity duty" assignments (like report writing or clerical work) instead of mandatory leave, and prohibits assignments involving firearms training, patrol, toxic chemicals, or physical risks. It also requires agencies to accommodate uniform needs while maintaining safety protocols like body armor use during field activities. The policy directly affects female law enforcement officers in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

All labor & employment bills