This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (with input from the Department of Labor) to create and distribute informational materials about family leave programs under the state's 1989 Family Leave Act. Specifically, it mandates that healthcare facilities providing maternity care must make these materials available in waiting areas and give them to patients at the time of discharge. The materials must be included in hospital discharge plans for patients with designated caregivers, as part of the required after-care instructions. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment.
This bill creates the New Jersey Wind Institute for Innovation and Training to support the state's offshore wind industry. The Institute will focus on workforce training, education, research, and innovation - prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion - to help New Jersey meet its goal of generating 7,500 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035. Governed by a nine-member board (including state agency heads and appointed public members with relevant expertise), the Institute will operate independently within the Department of the Treasury. It directly affects workers, educational institutions, and clean energy businesses in New Jersey by developing skills and resources for the growing offshore wind sector.
This bill requires employers in New Jersey to provide written information about an applicant's eligibility for family, medical, and disability leave benefits at the time of a job offer. It directly affects job applicants by disclosing whether they would qualify for specific leave types under state or federal law (including the Family Leave Act, FMLA, and disability benefits) and, if ineligible, the reason for ineligibility. Employers must also direct applicants to a state webpage with further leave information. Failure to comply results in a $500 civil penalty per violation. The law aims to ensure transparency about future workplace benefits during the hiring process.
S 1675 establishes New Jersey's Advanced Transmission Technologies Workforce Development Program (ATT Program) within the Department of Labor. The program trains electrical engineers and utility workers to install and manage advanced transmission systems, directly affecting these workers and students in career technical education. Key provisions include creating job training linked to infrastructure projects, using community agreements to connect training with jobs, and retraining existing workers to meet industry demands. The program will leverage state and federal funds while requiring annual reports on its effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature starting in 2027.
This bill standardizes retirement benefits for New Jersey public employees by removing tiered membership in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). It transfers all current non-retired PERS members to "Tier 1" (the benefits tier for those enrolled before July 2007), ensuring they receive identical retirement and health benefits as pre-2007 members. It also automatically transfers service credit from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to PERS for DCRP participants, though their contributions remain in DCRP, and gives them 6 months to opt out. Additionally, it requires public employers to enroll eligible employees (earning above minimum salary but not meeting hour requirements) into PERS within 60 days. Changes apply only to retirement applications processed after the bill’s effective date.
S 2181 establishes the "New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" to improve collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts in New Jersey. The pilot program, operating for three years, requires joint development of workforce training with industry credentials, coordinated marketing, integrated funding planning, and performance tracking using metrics like employment rates and credential attainment. It designates community colleges and vocational schools as preferred providers for workforce training and adult literacy programs, targeting job seekers, workers, and public assistance recipients. The bill appropriates state funds from the Workforce Development Partnership Fund and Supplemental Workforce Fund to support the pilot, with annual progress reports required to the Governor and Legislature. (Note: This bill was withdrawn as approved under P.L.2025, c.375.)
S 2920 regulates hospitality franchise agreements in New Jersey, directly affecting hotel, motel, and similar business owners operating within the state. It prohibits franchisors from imposing unreasonable restrictions after termination (e.g., employment limits beyond six months), forcing costly relocations or capital investments without justification, hiding vendor kickbacks, or requiring exclusive purchases when comparable alternatives exist. The law also bans franchisors from charging franchisees for guest reviews, selling loyalty points without compensating them fairly, or unreasonably blocking approved suppliers. It applies to franchises requiring a NJ business location, owned by NJ residents, or generating over 20% of sales in NJ, and treats hospitality franchises as "merchandise" under consumer fraud law. The bill takes effect immediately for new or modified agreements.
This bill (S 2377) expands accidental death benefits under New Jersey's State Police Retirement System to cover recruits who die during required pre-service training or related complications. It directly affects surviving spouses, children, or parents of these recruits, who previously could not access benefits because recruits weren't sworn officers until after training. The bill mandates a minimum $50,000 benefit for surviving spouses, with calculated payments (70% for children if no spouse, 25-40% for parents) based on the recruit's final salary if no spouse or children survive. Benefits are retroactive to the date of death, with survivors having 12 months from the bill's enactment to apply.
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.
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.
