Labor & Employment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2699: Requires standards for organization and deployment of career fire fighters to be consistent with certain national standards.

This bill requires New Jersey municipalities with career fire departments to deploy personnel for fire suppression and rescue operations in line with NFPA 1710 (2020 edition), a nationally recognized safety standard. It mandates the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create implementing rules and directs municipal governing bodies or fire commissioners to ensure compliance. The policy directly affects paid or part-paid fire departments that respond to at least 50% of initial full-alarm assignments. It aims to standardize safety practices for career firefighters, preventing local relaxation of requirements due to budget or political considerations. The law takes immediate effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1769: Allows small employers to claim tax credit for paying certain health benefits plan premiums.

This bill allows small New Jersey businesses with fewer than 20 employees to claim tax credits when they pay for their workers' health insurance premiums. Employers get up to $250 per employee for single coverage or $500 for family coverage if they pay 100% of the premium, with proportional credits for partial payments (50-99%). The health plan must meet federal Affordable Care Act standards for essential benefits. Credits cannot exceed the actual premiums paid and expire after the tax year - no carryover to future years. It applies to both corporate business tax and gross income tax credits.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Insurance

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1217: Establishes a manufacturing reinvestment account program to incentivize capital investment and workforce training in New Jersey with income tax rate reductions, deferrals, and accelerated deductions.

This bill creates a tax incentive program for New Jersey manufacturers. It allows qualifying manufacturers (those with 50 or fewer employees in good tax standing) to deduct up to $100,000 annually from their taxable income for deposits into a special "manufacturing reinvestment account." Funds in the account earn tax benefits: if used for machinery/equipment or workforce training at their New Jersey facility, the earnings are taxed at half the standard rate. The program applies for five consecutive years, with unused funds taxed at full rate after that.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1555: Prevents intoxicated employees from receiving workers' compensation.

This bill amends New Jersey's workers' compensation law to bar employees from receiving benefits if intoxication contributed to their injury or death. It directly affects workers injured while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, presuming intoxication caused the injury unless proven otherwise. The key provision shifts the burden to the employee to demonstrate that intoxication was not a material factor in the incident. This changes the prior standard (from the *Tlumac* case) that required intoxication to be the "sole cause" for denying benefits. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 312: Establishes measures to improve safety of scrap metal businesses.*

This bill requires all scrap metal businesses in New Jersey to conduct quarterly audits of their records to ensure prohibited items are not present on-site. It also mandates that businesses reduce fire risks by either employing fire suppression-trained staff or contracting with such personnel, and installing/maintaining remotely operable on-site fire suppression systems. Businesses have five years (until the first day of the 60th month after enactment) to install the required fire suppression systems. The bill directly affects scrap metal businesses operating in New Jersey and updates existing safety regulations under current law.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2449: Requires Firefighter 1 certification of candidate who completes military firefighter training and at least 12 months active duty military service in lieu of training course requirements.

This bill allows veterans to earn Firefighter 1 certification without completing the standard recruit training course if they completed at least 12 months of active military duty and military firefighter training. It directly affects veterans who meet other eligibility and examination requirements set by New Jersey's Division of Fire Safety. The key provision replaces the mandatory training course requirement with military service and training verification, streamlining certification for qualified veterans. The bill does not alter other certification standards or create new financial obligations. It is currently pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2217: Establishes "Summer Earn and Learn Pilot Program."

S 2217 establishes a three-year "Summer Earn and Learn Pilot Program" in New Jersey to help students recover from pandemic-related learning loss. The program provides eligible students (NJ residents enrolled in public, charter, or renaissance schools with a 3.0+ GPA) with both paid summer work (at least minimum wage) and academic support (3+ hours/day, 5 days/week) during summer vacation. Students must maintain good academic standing to participate, and the program uses federal pandemic relief funds (like CARES Act dollars) for stipends. School districts must apply to join, and the Department of Education will partner with employers to create job opportunities, such as tutoring. The pilot aims to prevent students from choosing between school and financial support during summer.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Minimum Wage

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1746: Requires mental health evaluations for school bus drivers.

This proposed bill (S 1746) would require all school bus drivers in New Jersey - employed by public, private, or parochial schools - to undergo a mental health evaluation by a State-licensed professional before being hired and when renewing their license. The evaluation would assess moral fitness and whether the driver exhibits behavior concerns as defined by the Motor Vehicle Commission. This requirement would be added to existing mandatory medical exams for drugs/alcohol and vision/hearing tests already required for school bus drivers. The bill aims to enhance safety standards for student transportation by expanding health screenings beyond current physical and substance-use requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2700: Requires Civil Service Commission establish mentoring program for certain civil service firefighter applicants.

This bill requires New Jersey's Civil Service Commission to create a free mentoring program for civil service firefighter applicants living in municipalities with a median income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. The program provides guidance through the application, exam, and hiring process via workshops, study groups, and resources to help overcome barriers, particularly to compete with applicants from wealthier areas using private study groups. Mentors - current or former firefighters in good standing - volunteer without pay, and applicants can use the program up to three times within a decade. The Commission must annually review the program’s effectiveness and ensure no fees are charged to participants.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2469: "Garden State Manufacturing Jobs Act."

This bill creates a new "Garden State Corporation" status for New Jersey manufacturing companies. To qualify, businesses must operate primarily in New Jersey, elect half their board members from employees (with equal voting rights), and include specific terms like "Garden State" in their name. Qualifying corporations receive significant tax credits: up to 60% off state corporate tax for the first five years if also certified as a benefit corporation, decreasing to 30% over nine years. The bill directly affects manufacturers choosing this status and aims to incentivize local job retention and worker representation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

All labor & employment bills