Labor & Employment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4848: Provides for satisfaction of licensure requirements for certain elevator inspectors through certification as qualified elevator inspector.

This bill updates New Jersey's laws to allow certain elevator inspectors to meet licensure requirements by obtaining certification as a qualified elevator inspector. It directly affects elevator inspection firms and the inspectors who work for them by formalizing the qualifications needed to perform routine and periodic safety inspections. The legislation requires these certified inspectors to be employed by registered firms and mandates that they follow specific rules for testing, reporting dangerous conditions, and maintaining safety standards. Additionally, the bill gives the Department of Community Affairs the authority to create detailed regulations regarding inspector qualifications and firm registration.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4876: Increases certain compensation for poll workers; provides for overtime pay when polls stay open late.

This bill increases the base pay for election officials in New Jersey from $300 to $300 per election, while also raising specific task-based fees for handling signature registers from a maximum of $25 to $50 per person. It mandates that poll workers receive hourly pay equal to the state minimum wage if they must stay late to accommodate voters still in line when polls are scheduled to close. Additionally, the legislation allows counties to offer optional extra compensation to their election boards and requires the state to reimburse counties for these new costs. These changes directly affect district board members and other poll workers across the state who serve during primary, general, and special elections.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 4821: Enters NJ into Athletic Trainer Compact.

This bill introduces New Jersey into the Athletic Trainer Compact, a national agreement designed to allow licensed athletic trainers to practice across multiple member states without needing separate licenses in each location. The legislation establishes a commission to oversee the program and creates a streamlined process where qualified professionals can work in other states while still adhering to the specific rules and scope of practice of the state where the patient is located. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, support for military families relocating, and the use of telehealth to expand access to care. By adopting this compact, New Jersey aims to increase workforce mobility and public access to athletic training services while maintaining state authority over public health and safety.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Public Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4075: Regulates use of artificial intelligence-based systems for electronic monitoring regarding employment and public services.

This bill establishes rules for how employers and public agencies in New Jersey can use artificial intelligence and electronic tools to monitor workers or make hiring decisions. It defines specific types of automated systems and monitoring devices, such as those that analyze biometric data or track employee communications, while excluding basic security software. The legislation requires that these technologies be used fairly and accurately, ensuring they do not negatively impact essential job functions or discriminate against individuals. Additionally, the bill mandates that independent auditors conduct objective assessments of these systems to verify their impact before they are deployed.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4085: Establishes Second Chance Program in charge of providing opportunities through labor organizations for formerly incarcerated individuals.

This bill creates a new Second Chance Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to help people who have been released from prison find jobs. The program will work directly with labor unions to identify job openings and create plans for hiring formerly incarcerated individuals. By partnering with these organizations, the initiative aims to provide stable career paths and reduce the likelihood of re-offending. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4834: Requires businesses receiving financial assistance from EDA be prohibited from any gender gap payment practice to their employees.

This bill requires businesses in New Jersey that receive financial aid from the Economic Development Authority to stop paying different wages to men and women for similar work. To comply, these companies must follow new rules and submit written proof to the Authority showing they do not discriminate based on sex when setting pay. The law defines gender discrimination as paying one sex less than the other for jobs requiring similar skill, effort, and responsibility. It applies to various business types, including corporations, partnerships, and non-profits, that receive loans, grants, or tax incentives from the state agency.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4683: Establishes "New Jersey Union-Led Semiconductor Innovation and Security Program."

This bill creates the New Jersey Union-Led Semiconductor Innovation and Security Program, which is designed to support semiconductor manufacturing and workforce development in the state. The program will be managed by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority in collaboration with state agencies, universities, and labor unions. Key provisions include funding apprenticeship opportunities that prioritize veterans, women, and underserved communities, providing financial assistance for research and production initiatives, and requiring recipients to follow prevailing wage rules and use apprenticeship programs. The bill also mandates that applicants disclose any foreign funding sources to ensure transparency.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Collective Bargaining Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3862: Requires each institution of higher education to designate student parent liaison.

This bill requires every higher education institution in New Jersey to appoint at least one employee as a student parent liaison. The liaison would serve as the main contact point for student parents seeking accommodations or leave related to parenting responsibilities. Their role includes informing student parents about available academic support services, success strategies, and other resources designed to meet their unique needs. The contact information for these liaisons must be easily accessible on each institution's website. This law aims to improve access to support services for student parents without changing existing funding or eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3790: Requires NJTA, SJTA, EDA, CRDA, PANYNJ, and DRPA to consider minorities and women when hiring or awarding contracts.

This bill requires several New Jersey transportation and development authorities to consider minorities and women when hiring employees and awarding contracts. It specifically mandates the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, South Jersey Transportation Authority, Economic Development Authority, Community Redevelopment Authority, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Delaware River Port Authority to prioritize these groups when feasible. The legislation also requires these organizations to publish quarterly reports on their websites detailing employee and contractor demographics by gender, race, and ethnicity, along with salary and contract information. The bill defines minority and women-owned businesses as those at least 51 percent owned and controlled by the respective groups.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 3948: Concerns UI employer contribution reports.

This New Jersey bill requires employers to submit more detailed quarterly reports to the state controller starting in 2027, including employee names, Social Security numbers, job titles, addresses, and specific wage breakdowns for hours worked versus paid time off. The legislation amends existing unemployment insurance reporting laws to increase data collection for determining benefit eligibility while maintaining the same filing deadlines and extension rules as current regulations. Employers who fail to file these reports accurately or on time face escalating penalties per employee, ranging from $50 to $250 depending on the frequency of non-compliance within an eight-quarter period. The bill also updates penalty amounts for late filings and requires the controller to report annually on any penalties that were waived due to non-fraudulent errors.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

All labor & employment bills