Labor & Employment

passed · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 1253: Concerns eligibility for unemployment benefits.

This bill extends the time window from 7 to 10 days for workers who leave a job for a new one that later gets rescinded. It prevents disqualification from unemployment benefits if a worker accepts a new job offer starting within 10 days of leaving their current position, provided the new job’s pay and hours match or exceed their previous role, and the rescission wasn’t their fault. The change specifically applies when a worker gives notice to their first employer about a planned departure date, and the second job offer is withdrawn. This adjustment aims to protect workers who face unexpected loss of new employment opportunities after voluntarily leaving their prior job.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents disqualification from unemployment benefits when new job rescinds, protecting workers' access to benefits under specific conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workers' Compensation

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 1116: Exempts poll workers wages from affecting unemployment compensation.

This bill exempts wages earned by poll workers during elections from being counted when calculating unemployment benefits in New Jersey. It amends the state's unemployment law (R.S.43:21-19) to exclude these wages from "annual payroll" calculations that determine benefit eligibility. This directly affects election workers who may later qualify for unemployment benefits, ensuring their temporary election work does not reduce their compensation. The policy change prevents poll workers' election wages from impacting their unemployment benefit amount under current law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExcludes poll workers' temporary election wages from unemployment benefit calculations, preserving their eligibility and benefit amounts under employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2702: Establishes marine firefighting training course requirements for certain firefighters; appropriates $140 million.

This bill requires all paid and volunteer firefighters in New Jersey municipalities within coastal zones to complete mandatory marine firefighting training. Firefighters must complete basic training within one year of the law's effective date, advanced training within two years of basic, and biennial in-service training thereafter. The law appropriates $140 million from the General Fund to fund the training programs and Coast Guard-approved courses developed by the Division of Fire Safety. It applies to all firefighters engaged in fire suppression or rescue in coastal communities, defined as those included in the state's Coastal Management program under federal law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $140M from General Fund for mandatory firefighter training, directly funding a public safety program per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates marine firefighting training for coastal firefighters with $140M funding, directly improving workplace safety standards for first responders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3102: Creates certain requirements for certain earned income access services and related provider contracts.

This bill regulates "earned income access services," which allow workers in New Jersey to access wages earned but not yet paid by their employer before the regular payday. It directly affects workers seeking early access to their wages, employers (as "obligors"), and companies providing these services (referred to as "providers"). Key provisions require providers to verify income, deliver funds before the scheduled payday (with the amount deducted from the next paycheck), prohibit interest charges (though fees are allowed), and mandate licensing through the Department of Banking and Insurance. The bill explicitly states these services are not loans, avoiding usury laws, and imposes penalties for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRegulates earned income access services to prevent predatory fees, ensuring workers access earned wages without interest charges - directly protects worker financial rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1054: Establishes Office for Women's Advancement in DOLWD to facilitate full and equal participation of women in workplace; makes an appropriation.

This bill establishes the Office for Women’s Advancement within New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development to promote full and equal participation of women in the workplace. The office will collect and analyze data on workplace issues affecting women - including pay gaps, hiring practices, and work-family balance - and collaborate with state agencies like the New Jersey Advisory Commission on the Status of Women. It will review legislation and regulations related to gender equity, provide public education through reports and events, and recommend policy changes. The bill also creates a dedicated "Women's Advancement Fund" to finance these activities, with an annual state appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes an appropriation to fund a new Office for Women's Advancement, directly advancing state budget allocation for a specific program.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates office to address gender pay gaps, hiring practices, and workplace equality, directly advancing women's labor rights and participation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Workforce Development

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1151: Establishes "Non-College Advancement Act"; makes appropriation.

S 1151 establishes the "Careers without College Program" within New Jersey's Department of Labor to connect eligible individuals (those qualifying for the Community College Opportunity Grant Program) with job and training opportunities in fields that don't require a college degree. The program creates a public webpage with career information, job postings, and scam warnings, partners with trade schools and unions, and promotes non-college career paths to high schools. It also creates a 10-member "Careers without College Advisory Commission" to advise on advancing specific industries like trades, cosmetology, construction, and healthcare support roles. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Labor Committee after its January 2026 introduction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes appropriation for workforce program, directly funding public service through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPromotes non-college career pathways via job training partnerships and high school outreach, expanding educational access beyond traditional higher education95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates program connecting workers to non-college job opportunities, training, and career pathways via Department of Labor, directly advancing employment standards and workforce development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Career & Technical Education Higher Education Apprenticeships

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 227: Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses employing qualified ex-offenders.

This bill creates tax credits for New Jersey businesses that hire qualified ex-offenders. It allows a credit equal to 15% of wages paid to each qualifying employee, capped at $900 per employee annually, against both corporation business tax and gross income tax. A "qualified ex-offender" is defined as someone convicted of a first- to fourth-degree crime in New Jersey who was hired within one year of their conviction or release from incarceration. The credit is applied after other credits and cannot reduce tax liability below the statutory minimum.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credits for businesses hiring ex-offenders, reducing tax liability through targeted relief, aligning with tax relief indicators for budget/tax policy.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill incentivizes hiring ex-offenders (1st-4th degree convicts) via tax credits to reduce recidivism, directly supporting rehabilitation and reentry programs in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates tax incentives for hiring ex-offenders, expanding employment opportunities for a disadvantaged workforce. Directly advances labor market inclusion.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Corrections

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2890: Requires 90 days' notice of cancellation or nonrenewal of stop loss insurance for small employer health benefits plans.

This bill requires health insurance companies to provide small employers with at least 90 days' written notice before canceling or refusing to renew their stop loss insurance policies. Stop loss insurance protects small employers from unexpectedly high medical costs in self-funded health plans for their employees. The notice must be in a specific format set by the state insurance regulator, and the rule applies to policies issued or renewed 90 days after the bill becomes law. It directly affects small employers using self-funded health plans and their insurance providers in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires 90 days' notice for stop loss insurance cancellation, protecting small employers from sudden coverage disruptions and ensuring stability in health insurance for employees.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires 90-day notice for stop loss insurance cancellations, preventing abrupt loss of employer health benefits for employees and ensuring coverage stability.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 3217: Establishes Statewide Skills Academy Network; appropriates $1 million.

This bill establishes a Statewide Skills Academy Network to connect county colleges, vocational schools, and union training programs across New Jersey. It appropriates $1 million to the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to support the network’s work in improving collaboration, identifying workforce training gaps, and developing accessible short-term programs in high-demand fields. The network will focus on sharing best practices, expanding geographic access to training, and creating an integrated credentialing system to help workers gain job-ready skills. Regional skills academies selected through a competitive process will use grant funds to develop training sites offering evening and weekend classes. The bill directly affects educational institutions, workforce training providers, and workers seeking credentials in growing industries.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $1M to establish Skills Academy Network, enhancing workforce training access and collaboration between educational institutions per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce training network to address skill gaps in high-demand fields, enhancing worker employment opportunities and skills development.95% confidence

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

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1831: Establishes Statewide youth apprenticeship program; appropriates $25 million annually.

New Jersey's S 1831 establishes a statewide youth apprenticeship program for students aged 16-21, directly affecting high school students (particularly 11th and 12th graders), employers, and low-income apprentices. The bill creates career-connected high school pathways, combines paid on-the-job training with community college dual enrollment, and prioritizes high-demand sectors like healthcare, IT, manufacturing, and green jobs. It appropriates $25 million annually starting in FY2026 to fund the program, including tax credits of up to $5,000 per apprentice for employers who pay at least 60% of journeyperson wages and meet diversity and reporting requirements. The program requires annual reporting on participation demographics, completion rates, and state savings from reduced reliance on student aid, while prohibiting duplication of existing apprenticeship programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $25M annually for youth apprenticeship program, directly increasing state funding for workforce development and public service expansion.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $25M annually for youth apprenticeship program creating career pathways, dual enrollment, and expanding access to high-demand sectors for high school students.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds $25M annual youth apprenticeship program with paid training, dual enrollment, and career pathways in high-demand sectors, directly advancing employment opportunities for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education Apprenticeships Child Labor Workforce Development

Track