Labor & Employment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2618: Removes exclusion of affectional or sexual orientation and gender identity or expression from affirmative action programs under public works contracts.

This bill removes an exemption that previously allowed public works contractors in New Jersey to exclude protections for sexual orientation and gender identity from their affirmative action programs. It requires contractors on state, county, or municipal public works projects to include these categories in their equal opportunity hiring and employment practices. The law mandates that contractors actively recruit, hire, and promote employees without discrimination based on these factors, aligning with existing protections for race, gender, and other characteristics. This change applies to all public works contracts awarded by New Jersey government entities, directly affecting contractors seeking state or local government work.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 2782: Clarifies choice of independent contractor status for certain licensed or regulated professionals.

S 2782 clarifies that certain licensed or regulated professionals in New Jersey may be treated as independent contractors under state law if they have a written agreement designating them as such. It directly affects insurance producers, securities professionals (broker-dealers, agents, investment advisers), freight drivers at marine terminals/rail facilities meeting specific unemployment exemption criteria, and others meeting defined criteria under unemployment law. The bill prevents these professionals from being classified as employees for any purpose under state law during the term of their written agreement and eliminates the need for them to satisfy additional tests (like those under wage and hour laws) to maintain independent contractor status. It applies retroactively to all existing written agreements for these professionals.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 1837: Establishes child care contribution tax credit to employers subject to CBT or GIT for certain child care expenses for children of employees.

This bill creates a 50% tax credit for New Jersey employers subject to Corporate Business Tax (CBT) or General Income Tax (GIT) who pay for certain child care expenses related to their employees' children. It covers costs for building/maintaining on-site child care centers, contracting external providers, or subsidizing employees' child care payments, with a $100,000 annual limit per employer. Employers must apply for the credit through the state, submit documentation, and agree to use the funds for eligible child care services. The total credit pool across all employers is capped at $10 million yearly. The bill does not change existing tax rates but reduces tax liability for qualifying employers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2703: Establishes survivor support liaison in Department of Treasury to assist beneficiaries of emergency responders who die in line of duty; designated as "Captain Augusto Acabou's, Wayne Brooks', and Plainfield Firefighter Marques Hudson's act"; appropriates $1,000,000.

This bill creates a new Office of Emergency Responder Survivor Support and Navigation within New Jersey's Department of Treasury. It directly assists families (beneficiaries) of emergency responders - such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel - who die in the line of duty. The office, led by a survivor support liaison and staffed by at least three other beneficiaries of fallen responders, provides guidance on applying for municipal, state, federal, and private survivor benefits, maintains contact with families, and summarizes eligible benefits. The bill appropriates $1 million annually from the General Fund and honors three specific responders (Captains Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks, and Firefighter Marques Hudson) through its designation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics State Budget

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2785: Expands certain employer reporting requirements to include entities that employ or contract with individuals for financial compensation, including ride-sharing and delivery technology platforms.

This bill expands New Jersey's employer reporting requirements to include ride-sharing, delivery, and other technology platforms that contract with workers for financial compensation. It requires these entities to report employee or contractor details - including name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and their own business information - within 20 days of hiring or rehiring, or every 15 days if reporting electronically. Employers failing to comply face civil penalties of up to $25 per violation (or $500 for intentional false reporting). The law directly affects gig economy platforms and similar entities that classify workers as independent contractors rather than employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Gig Economy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2095: "Government Reality Check Act"; prohibits public employers from providing certain benefits to public employees; restricts gifts to public employees; restricts travel by public employees; imposes post-employment restriction on public contracting employees.

This bill, S 2095 ("Government Reality Check Act"), prohibits most public employees and legislators in New Jersey from accepting certain external benefits related to their official duties. It restricts gifts, out-of-state travel reimbursements (capping at $500 per trip unless from nonprofits/federal entities), and free/discounted entertainment tickets unless broadly available to the public or large groups. Exceptions include reasonable book royalties, travel costs covered by nonprofits or federal agencies, and pre-approved legislative travel. The law directly affects all state officers, employees, and legislators, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest by limiting outside income and perks tied to public roles.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 174: Prohibits public disclosure of names and addresses in certain unemployment, temporary disability, and family leave claim appeals documents.

This bill (S 174) prohibits public disclosure of personal identifying information - such as names and addresses - in appeals documents related to unemployment, temporary disability, and family leave claims. It directly affects individuals who file these appeals by keeping their personal details confidential in public records. The key mechanism requires state agencies to redact or withhold such information from documents made available under open records laws. This amendment updates existing confidentiality protections under New Jersey law to specifically cover these types of benefit appeals. The bill does not change eligibility rules or benefit amounts, only how personal data is handled in appeal records.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Unemployment Data Privacy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1481: Establishes minimum student to employee ratio for calculating State support for employee fringe benefit costs at four-year public institutions of higher education.

This bill sets a 9:1 student-to-employee ratio for calculating state funding toward employee benefits at New Jersey's four-year public colleges. It requires the state to limit funding for fringe benefits to no more than nine full-time students per full-time employee position. Public institutions may use a better ratio (fewer students per employee) if they choose, but the state will not fund more employee positions than actually exist at the college. The rule applies to how state funds cover benefits like health insurance and retirement for college staff.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Education ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2101: Requires school districts to provide for the safe operation of electrically operated partitions in classrooms or other school facilities.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts to implement safety measures for electrically operated partitions (like motorized room dividers) in classrooms and student areas. For new partitions installed after the bill takes effect, it mandates dual control stations requiring simultaneous activation, automatic reversal capability, and sensors to stop motion when objects are detected. School districts with existing partitions lacking these features must restrict operation to trained staff only, prohibit student presence during operation, and post safety signage. The bill also requires annual injury reporting, staff training on safe operation, and prohibits tampering with safety features. (Note: Bill is pending, not yet law.)

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2530: Requires emergency medical technicians and firefighters to receive training concerning electric vehicle fires.

S 2530 requires all New Jersey firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to complete specialized training on electric vehicle (EV) fire safety. Firefighters must finish the training within 36 months of the bill's effective date, while EMTs must complete it before certification (for new EMTs) or within 36 months (for existing EMTs). The training covers unique EV fire risks, such as the intense, prolonged heat from lithium-ion batteries, which differ from traditional gasoline fires. This policy change directly affects first responders who manage fire scenes and ensures they are prepared for the growing number of electric vehicles on New Jersey roads.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Electric Vehicles

All labor & employment bills