This bill requires New Jersey state and local agencies to follow strict procedures before outsourcing public services to private contractors. It mandates competitive bidding with public documentation, ensures contractor services meet or exceed current quality and quantity standards, and requires comparable wages/benefits for contractor workers. The law applies to contracts worth $500,000+ for local agencies or $1 million+ for state agencies, excluding certain service types like legal work or disability rehabilitation contracts. Agencies must also publish quarterly reports on service quality, fees, and contractor compliance to maintain public transparency.
This bill (S 2531) prohibits employment contracts from including non-disclosure or non-disparagement clauses that prevent employees from discussing claims of discrimination, retaliation, or harassment. It makes such clauses unenforceable and requires settlement agreements resolving these claims to include a clear notice stating employees can publicly share details identifying the employer. The law applies broadly to all employees but allows collective bargaining agreements to include mediation or arbitration for these claims if they comply with existing rules. It codifies a 2024 New Jersey Supreme Court ruling that such clauses violate public policy.
This bill establishes a Fire Station Rehabilitation and Maintenance Code requiring paid and part-paid fire departments in New Jersey to conduct annual testing for hazardous substances like asbestos, mold, and lead (every six months for pre-1978 stations), remediate findings within six months, and install HEPA air purification systems and carbon-filter HVAC systems. It mandates new fire stations to include these safety features and requires all stations to add steam rooms for firefighter detoxification after exposure to cancer-causing agents. A $140 million Fire Station Rehabilitation Fund will provide grants and loans to fire departments serving municipalities with populations of 300,000 or more to cover compliance costs and equipment replacement. The law directly affects fire departments in larger communities, focusing on physical infrastructure safety and health protections for firefighters.
This bill (S 2692) would amend New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly state that sexual harassment and sexual assault constitute unlawful discrimination based on sex. It clarifies that such conduct by employers or in the workplace violates existing anti-discrimination protections. This change directly affects employees experiencing sexual harassment or assault, making it legally clear that these acts are prohibited under the state's employment discrimination law. Employers would be required to prevent and address such conduct as part of their obligations under the law.
This bill, titled "Farm Labor Equality Act" (S 1075), actually revises child labor laws in New Jersey, not farm labor standards. It raises the minimum age for agricultural work from 12 to 14 years after December 31, 2024, and limits minors under 18 to 10 hours per day in agriculture until 2025 (after which they follow standard minor labor rules). It requires minors aged 11-17 to register with the Department of Labor for work authorization, including proof of school status, and sets strict hour limits (e.g., max 40 hours/week for newspaper carriers). The bill directly affects minors under 18 working in agriculture or as newspaper carriers, and their employers.
This bill bans most non-compete clauses in New Jersey employment contracts, directly affecting workers and employers. It prohibits employers from requiring, enforcing, or claiming that non-compete agreements apply to workers who are not senior executives (defined as those earning under $151,164 annually). Employers must notify affected workers within 30 days of the bill’s effective date that existing non-compete clauses cannot be enforced. The ban applies to all workers except senior executives, though these high-earning employees may still face non-compete terms under specific conditions. The bill also prohibits "no-poach agreements" between employers that restrict hiring.
S 266 requires state contractors bidding on government contracts to submit annual reports measuring gender-based pay gaps (e.g., men and women doing similar work earning different wages) and gender segregation in job titles (e.g., certain roles dominated by one gender). The state’s Division of Purchase and Property will develop a standardized reporting system, assign each bidder a rating based on their equity performance, and consider this rating alongside price when awarding contracts. The bill exempts urgent contracts needing immediate delivery and contracts funded partly by federal money that would lose eligibility if subject to this requirement. This policy directly affects businesses seeking state contracts by adding pay equity as a formal evaluation factor in procurement decisions.
New Jersey's S 1852 provides tax credits to small businesses (fewer than 25 employees and under $1 million annual revenue) and farm employers to offset increased labor costs from the state's minimum wage hike enacted in 2019. The bill allows a credit equal to the difference between the new minimum wage and the previous rate, multiplied by hours worked, for both corporate business tax and gross income tax. Credits are capped at $12,500 per employee and can be carried forward for up to 10 years. This directly affects small business owners and farm employers paying hourly wages who face higher payroll expenses due to the 2019 minimum wage increase.
This bill creates a regulatory framework for "earned wage access services," which allow workers to access money they've already earned but haven't been paid for (like wages from the current pay period) before their regular payday. It requires providers of these services to obtain a license from the New Jersey Banking and Insurance Commissioner, including background checks for owners with controlling interests. The law defines key terms like "earned but unpaid income" and excludes employers offering early pay directly or payroll service providers from regulation. It applies directly to workers seeking early access to their earned wages and the companies providing those services.
This bill (S 1693) dedicates specific funding from New Jersey's existing Workforce Development Partnership Fund to promote apprenticeships. It allocates 5% of annual revenues to One Stop Career Centers for statewide apprenticeship promotion and 0.5% to the Apprenticeship Start-Up Grant Program. These funds support accredited apprenticeship programs (approved by the U.S. Department of Labor) and help workers - especially displaced or disadvantaged individuals - gain industry-valued credentials through training. The bill directly affects apprenticeship programs, career centers, and workers seeking job training opportunities.
