Labor & Employment (Workforce Development) in New Jersey

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

A 1564: Concerns eligibility for unemployment compensation benefits for certain seasonal employees.

This bill amends New Jersey's unemployment compensation law to clarify eligibility for seasonal workers who are on unpaid vacation (not due to their own action) or attending state-approved job training programs. It ensures these workers remain eligible for benefits without being deemed "unavailable for work." Key provisions require training programs to be full-time, for high-demand occupations, and approved by the state, while also adding clarifications for jury duty and funerals. The changes directly affect seasonal employees and others in similar situations, focusing on concrete policy adjustments to maintain benefit access during specific life or work circumstances.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workers' Compensation Workforce Development

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

A 2464: Requires DOLWD and DHS to conduct assessment of community rehabilitation programs and community businesses.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) and Department of Human Services (DHS) to assess whether employment opportunities through community rehabilitation programs and businesses - such as call centers, work crews, AbilityOne contracts, and rehabilitation facility programs - meet federal "competitive integrated employment" standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It directly affects people with disabilities seeking jobs in these settings by ensuring their employment options are evaluated for compliance with WIOA's criteria, including interaction with non-disabled coworkers in typical work environments. The law mandates case-by-case assessments to determine if programs qualify as "competitive integrated employment," while prohibiting disqualification solely based on program type (e.g., AbilityOne or rehabilitation facility contracts). This creates a formal process for agencies to verify that employment options provide equitable opportunities aligned with federal guidelines.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Tags People with Disabilities

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

A 1467: Establishes "Manufacturing Workforce Development Grant Program" for students enrolled at county colleges.

This bill creates a grant program to connect New Jersey county college students with paid manufacturing internships through partnerships with local manufacturers. County colleges applying for grants must partner with approved manufacturers, prioritize internships in high-demand occupations, and use 85% of grant funds for student stipends while reserving 15% for program administration and career counseling. Students who complete these internships earn academic credit toward their associate's degree and may receive job offers from participating manufacturers. The program requires annual reporting on participation numbers, skills gained, job placements, and fund usage to track outcomes.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education Workforce Development

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

A 1434: Requires DOLWD to take measures to ensure State unemployment offices reopen immediately and remain open during and after public health emergency.

This bill (A-1434) mandates that New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) reopen all state unemployment offices by March 1, 2022, and keep them open during the public health emergency. It directly affects the DOLWD commissioner and senior leadership, who face salary cuts (5% every two weeks for the first month, then 10% monthly) if offices remain closed past the deadline. Funds from these salary reductions will go into a new "Unemployed Workers Compensation Fund." The bill requires a report on compliance within 90 days and expires once all offices reopen.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workers' Compensation Workforce Development

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

A 1769: Establishes Water Apprenticeship, Training, and Employment Resources (WATER) Pilot Program in DOLWD; appropriates $1 million.

This bill establishes a five-year WATER Pilot Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor, appropriating $1 million to fund water-sector apprenticeships. It directly affects eligible organizations - such as businesses, unions, colleges, nonprofits, and public utilities - that run accredited water-related training programs (e.g., for wastewater workers) and partner with industry. Key provisions require applicants to demonstrate U.S. Department of Labor accreditation, secure industry partnerships, and prioritize underserved communities, with grants covering program costs. Grantees must report annually on participant enrollment, completion, and job placement, while the Department must evaluate the program’s effectiveness yearly.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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

A 3116: Establishes nurse aide workforce development program.

This bill establishes a New Jersey nurse aide workforce development program to support individuals seeking certification. It requires the Department of Health to provide clear information on certification benefits, requirements, and cost-free competency evaluations for nurse aides employed by or offered jobs at long-term care facilities. The program also details employer reimbursement rules: facilities must cover training costs for new hires within 12 months, and employers cannot charge for training if an aide leaves voluntarily or involuntarily. A separate one-year pilot reimburses up to 25% of training costs for completed courses. All resources will be posted on a dedicated Department of Health website.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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

A 812: Establishes construction workforce recruitment and training program in DOLWD.

This bill establishes New Jersey's "Go Build" program within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to connect residents with construction careers. It requires the program to provide training for construction trades, recruit workers for jobs and training, and promote opportunities through public education, marketing, and partnerships with construction companies and schools. The program must also consult with similar initiatives in Alabama and Georgia, and the department must submit a five-year evaluation report to the Governor and Legislature. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents seeking construction jobs, training providers, and the state's construction industry. It is a proposed program (not yet enacted) focused on expanding access to construction careers through structured recruitment and training.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4484: Establishes Statewide Skills Academy Network; appropriates $1 million.

This bill establishes the Statewide Skills Academy Network to improve coordination among New Jersey's county colleges, vocational schools, and union training providers. It appropriates $1 million to fund regional skills academies that develop short-term, high-demand training programs, with priority for evening and weekend classes. The network will identify workforce skills gaps, share best practices, and support the creation of accessible training sites for facilities, curriculum, equipment, and staffing. This directly affects community colleges, vocational institutions, and union training programs across the state, aiming to better align training with employer needs and improve job placement outcomes.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum Apprenticeships Collective Bargaining Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3688: Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses employing released nonviolent offenders.

This bill provides tax credits to New Jersey businesses that hire released nonviolent offenders. Specifically, businesses can claim a 15% credit (up to $900 per employee) on wages paid to these individuals for both corporation business tax and gross income tax. To qualify, the offender must have committed a nonviolent crime (excluding certain offenses involving force), served time or alternative sentencing, and been released into community supervision. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to seven years, but total credits cannot exceed 50% of a business's tax liability. The bill directly affects employers in New Jersey who hire eligible individuals, aiming to incentivize their reemployment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Probation & Parole Sentencing Workforce Development

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

A 2413: Provides dedicated funding for promotion of apprenticeships and apprenticeship programs from Workforce Development Partnership Fund.

This bill (A2413) redirects specific portions of New Jersey's existing Workforce Development Partnership Fund to support apprenticeship programs. It requires 5% of annual fund revenues (starting in 2021) to be allocated to One Stop Career Centers for promoting state-accredited apprenticeships, and 0.5% for the Apprenticeship Start-Up Grant Program. These funds directly support the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, career centers, and employers offering apprenticeships approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. The bill does not create new programs but specifies how existing fund resources will be dedicated to expanding apprenticeship opportunities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

All labor & employment bills