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 (S 461) allows New Jersey local governments (like cities, counties, and townships) to pay certain employees for unused sick leave as supplemental pay, with strict limits. It applies to specific local government officers and employees (excluding school board staff and certain licensed professionals like health officers), capping payments at three weeks of unused leave per year, requiring at least 100 days of sick leave to remain, and limiting payments to 60% of daily pay. Local governments decide whether to offer this payment and when, but cannot use emergency funds for it. The bill does not apply to regular employees hired through standard procedures or those in roles covered by specific professional licenses.
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.
This bill (S 108) allows minors aged 14-15 to work until 11 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. during the summer period from Memorial Day through October 1, with written permission from a parent or guardian. It specifically applies to retail settings like restaurants and supermarkets, as well as roles like little league umpires. The bill does not change total weekly work hours, prohibited occupations, or required rest periods for minors. Current law already permits 14-15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. during this timeframe, so this amendment extends the evening window by two hours. It affects minor workers in seasonal retail and service jobs during summer months, with no broader policy changes to labor regulations.
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 New Jersey bill (S 873) revises civil service rules to increase flexibility for government employers. It requires civil service examinations to be offered continuously (not just periodically) and permits state/local government entities to opt out of standard civil service hiring requirements. The bill also clarifies temporary appointment rules, allowing positions to be filled for up to six months (or nine months for seasonal roles) without competitive exams. These changes directly affect government agencies managing hiring and job applicants seeking civil service positions.
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.
S 1066 requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Health to create a public awareness campaign focused on improving maternal and child health outcomes. The campaign will provide accessible information through a state website, including hospital data on cesarean births and breastfeeding rates to help women choose care providers, promote shared decision-making during childbirth, and share resources about breastfeeding, pregnancy discrimination rights, family leave options, and Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women. It specifically directs healthcare providers to document patient birth plans in medical records and encourages the use of high-value care options like midwives and lactation support. The bill aims to ensure equitable access to maternity care information for all women and children across racial and ethnic backgrounds. The campaign must coordinate with existing efforts to avoid duplication.
