Labor & Employment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1447: Establishes occupational heat stress standard and "Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program" in DOLWD.

New Jersey's S 1447 establishes a state heat stress safety standard and prevention program for workers. It requires employers across all industries (including agriculture, construction, and indoor settings without climate control) to implement written heat safety plans by June 1, 2025. Key provisions include providing potable water under 59°F, mandatory rest breaks in shaded/cool areas, heat exposure monitoring, emergency response protocols, and heat alert systems for forecasted heatwaves. The law mandates employer-developed plans to prevent heat-related illness, requiring worker input and language accessibility for non-English speakers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workplace Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2057: Requires pay for extracurricular activities to be included in compensation for TPAF purposes.

This bill changes how New Jersey public school teachers' pensions are calculated by requiring pay for extracurricular activities (such as coaching sports, directing performances, or supervising clubs) to be included in the "compensation" used for Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) calculations. It directly affects teachers whose pensions are based on TPAF, ensuring that additional pay for duties beyond regular school hours is counted toward their pension benefits. The bill specifically clarifies that this includes preparation and involvement in extracurricular activities but excludes temporary duties or salary adjustments made primarily for retirement purposes. This is a technical adjustment to the pension formula, not a new benefit.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1283: "Citizen's Fund Act"; establishes trust fund for conveyance of certain public entity assets, as permitted, for interest of public benefit plans.

This bill establishes the "Citizen's Fund," a trust fund to hold revenue-producing public assets transferred from public entities like cities, counties, or school districts. Public entities can convey assets (such as infrastructure or facilities) to the fund, which manages them to increase the funded ratio of public pension plans for employees. Key provisions require independent valuations of assets before transfer, maintain the fund as a separate entity with strict accounting rules, and mandate that all fund assets be used solely to maximize asset value and support pension benefits. The fund must operate tax-exempt under federal law and cannot benefit individuals directly.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2966: Establishes employee protections for certain employees of New Jersey City University in event of merger with Kean University.

This bill protects unionized faculty and staff at New Jersey City University (NJCU) if the university merges with Kean University. It prohibits job loss, reduced hours, or other adverse actions for three years after the merger, and requires Kean to offer vacant positions first to transferred NJCU employees. The bill also ensures all existing union contracts, salaries, benefits, and seniority are maintained for three years, with a two-year grace period to meet new job requirements. These provisions apply specifically to employees in recognized collective bargaining units who transfer due to the merger.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education Collective Bargaining

passed · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 1631: Prohibits discrimination on basis of height or weight under "Law Against Discrimination."

New Jersey's S 1631 adds height and weight to the list of protected characteristics under the state's Law Against Discrimination. It makes it illegal for employers, public accommodations (like restaurants and stores), and housing providers to discriminate based on these factors. The bill amends existing law to include "height or weight" alongside categories like race, disability, and gender identity in all relevant sections. Enforcement will continue through the Division on Civil Rights, which handles complaints about discrimination.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1428: Requires civil service examination for police and correctional police officers to include questions to identify implicit racial bias.

This bill requires New Jersey's Civil Service Commission to add exam questions about implicit bias - including racial bias - to the entry-level civil service test for all law enforcement applicants. It directly affects candidates seeking jobs as municipal police officers, county police officers, correctional officers (adult and juvenile), and sheriff's deputies. The key provision mandates that the exam include questions designed to identify unconscious biases that may influence decision-making. The bill takes effect four months after enactment, with the Commission allowed to prepare in advance. It does not change hiring standards but adds a new evaluation component for all entry-level law enforcement positions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement Policing Public Employees

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2681: Requires certain salary, compensation and benefit information to be included in certain job postings.

S 2681 requires employers in New Jersey with 10 or more employees to include specific compensation and benefit details in all job postings. Employers must disclose the minimum and maximum salary range, supplemental compensation, benefits (like paid leave and health care), and retirement plans offered. This applies to all job postings on any platform, whether posted by the employer directly or through a third-party site. Employers who fail to comply face civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, enforceable by the Commissioner of Labor.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1520: Requires payment of minimum wage to minors; requires payment of overtime to minors in certain circumstances; codifies certain exemptions to overtime payment requirements.

This bill requires employers to pay minors (under age 18) the state minimum wage and overtime pay (1.5x regular rate) for hours worked beyond 40 in a week, directly affecting minor workers in most non-exempt jobs. It establishes a minimum wage schedule that increases annually (with specific rates for 2019-2028) and formalizes existing exemptions to overtime requirements, such as for farm labor, certain seasonal work, and employees in executive roles. Key provisions include mandatory overtime pay for minors (except in exempted categories like agricultural work or specific professional roles) and maintaining minimum wage rates for small employers and seasonal workers. The bill does not change overtime exemptions for adult workers but explicitly extends overtime protections to minors in covered positions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2962: Provides seniority service credit to educational support professionals for military service.

This New Jersey bill (S 2962) gives educational support professionals (like cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and administrative staff) who served in the U.S. military and qualify for VA benefits up to four years of seniority credit. The credit counts military service completed before or during their school district employment, treating it as equivalent to actual work time for seniority purposes. It expands an existing benefit currently only available to teaching staff. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2845: Increases pay for direct support professionals; makes appropriation.

This bill creates a state-funded program to help employers increase wages for direct support professionals (DSPs) who assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Department of Human Services will distribute funds from the General Fund to employers, requiring them to use the money solely to raise DSP pay for existing or new staff. Employers must apply through a process established by the department, with guidelines for compliance. The program takes effect immediately but ends once all allocated funds are distributed. This directly affects employers of DSPs across New Jersey, aiming to address staffing shortages by enabling wage increases.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

All labor & employment bills