Labor & Employment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 73: Eliminates remarriage prohibition for PFRS death benefits; provides retirement allowance to certain survivors of PFRS members.

S 73 eliminates a rule that previously required surviving spouses of police and firefighters to remain unmarried to receive death benefits under New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). The bill ensures eligible survivors, including remarried spouses, can continue receiving a retirement allowance (combining pension and annuity payments) after a member's death. This directly affects families of PFRS members who died while serving or after retirement, updating eligibility rules to remove the remarriage barrier. The legislation amends existing PFRS statutes to align with current family dynamics and survivor needs.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2447: Requires school bus drivers to submit to biannual testing for drugs and alcohol.

This bill requires all school bus drivers in New Jersey (for public, private, or parochial schools) to undergo unannounced drug and alcohol testing twice each school year, in addition to existing medical requirements. Drivers who fail the test or refuse testing become immediately ineligible to operate school buses. The Commissioner of Education must establish disqualification criteria and an appeal process allowing drivers to challenge inaccurate test results before termination. The bill also mandates that school districts and contractors submit proof of this testing to county superintendents annually.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Public Transit

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2178: Directs DOLWD to develop and maintain industry-valued credential list.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to create and annually update a public list of industry-valued credentials - such as certificates, diplomas, or certifications that employers actively seek. The list would identify credentials most in demand based on state labor market data and direct employer feedback, aiming to help workers choose training that aligns with job opportunities. DOLWD must publish the list online in both display and downloadable formats. The bill directly affects workers seeking career advancement and employers looking for qualified candidates, with no new funding or mandates for businesses. (Note: This bill was withdrawn after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.372.)

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1273: Provides TPAF members and certain retirees same benefits provided to members enrolled in retirement system before July 1, 2007.

This bill equalizes retirement benefits for New Jersey teachers by removing tiered membership in the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). It moves all current non-retired TPAF members to the same benefit tier as those who joined before July 2007, and requires enrollment of public school employees meeting salary but not hour requirements. Educators in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) can automatically transfer service credit to TPAF (without transferring contributions), with an opt-out option within six months. It also expands disability retirement eligibility for current long-term disability recipients, requiring applications within two years of enactment.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Teachers Retirement Benefits

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2931: Establishes requirements for on-demand micro transit programs operating in NJ.

S 2931 establishes rules for on-demand micro transit programs in New Jersey, which are technology-enabled shared rides (via app or phone) that pick up and drop off users at selected locations. It directly affects NJ Transit, county transit agencies, and other operators by requiring them to: pay drivers fairly (matching existing wages/benefits), serve transit deserts without replacing existing routes, provide non-smartphone access, ensure disability accessibility, and report monthly data (cost per ride, wait times, etc.) for publicly funded programs. The bill creates a Micro Transit Oversight Committee to certify programs meet these standards before operation. Key mechanisms include mandatory driver licensing, prohibitions on replacing existing transit, and data transparency requirements for public funding.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1634: Broadens eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.

This bill changes New Jersey's definition of "veteran" to remove specific date and location requirements for qualifying for civil service jobs and pension benefits. Previously, veterans had to prove service during exact historical periods (like World War I: April 6, 1917-November 11, 1918) or in designated locations (such as Lebanon during specific missions). The bill amends N.J.S.11A:5-1 to eliminate these restrictions, allowing more veterans who served in approved conflicts to qualify. It directly affects veterans whose service dates or locations no longer align with the old criteria but still meet the broader definition of honorable military service.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Public Employees Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 168: Requires membership of boards of trustees of State colleges and universities and county colleges to include two college employees.

This bill (S 168) requires that governing boards of New Jersey's State colleges/universities and county colleges include two employee representatives. These representatives must be appointed by the Governor from a list recommended by labor organizations representing the college staff. Employee members serve two-year terms (with staggered initial terms) and have full voting rights, except on matters involving employee employment or working conditions. The bill directly affects college governing boards by mandating staff representation in decision-making.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 275: Requires cost analysis in certain cases when State department contracts out work.

New Jersey's S 275 requires state departments to conduct a cost analysis before contracting out work usually performed by state employees for amounts over $100,000. This analysis must compare the cost of using private contractors versus state workers, including labor, benefits, equipment, and potential unemployment costs for displaced workers. Departments must also provide a resource analysis showing if the state can perform the work internally and file both analyses with the Office of Management and Budget for public review. The bill aims to ensure contracting only occurs if it saves significant state funds without harming public interest, while prohibiting contracts with firms whose leaders previously worked for the relevant state department. This directly affects state agencies, their employees, and union bargaining units when considering outsourcing.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Procurement Collective Bargaining Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 2689: Requires employer to provide certain accommodations to employee who is breast feeding.

This bill (S 2689) adds "breastfeeding" to New Jersey's existing anti-discrimination law, making it unlawful for employers to discriminate against employees based on breastfeeding. It directly affects breastfeeding employees and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations, such as break time and a private space, to support breastfeeding at work. The law amends the Law Against Discrimination (P.L.1945, c.169) to explicitly include breastfeeding under protected categories like pregnancy and sex. This creates a clear legal standard for employers to follow, ensuring breastfeeding employees are not treated unfairly in hiring, pay, or workplace conditions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 975: Raises mandatory retirement age for SPRS members from 55 to 60.

This bill (S 975) would raise the mandatory retirement age for New Jersey State Police officers in the State Police Retirement System (SPRS) from 55 to 60 years. It directly affects current and future State Police members who would otherwise be required to retire at age 55. The key mechanism is amending Section 8 of the State Police Retirement System law to change the retirement age requirement, while maintaining existing provisions for retirement allowances based on years of service. The bill does not alter health benefits or disability retirement rules but updates the age threshold for mandatory retirement.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

All labor & employment bills