S 3489 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Provides employment protections for paid first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder under certain conditions.

S 3489, the "New Jersey First Responders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Protection Act," provides employment protections for paid first responders - including law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and 9-1-1 dispatchers - diagnosed with PTSD from work-related trauma. It prohibits employers (public entities) from firing, harassing, or discriminating against employees taking leave for a qualifying PTSD diagnosis and requires reinstatement to the same position after leave if a mental health professional confirms fitness to return. A qualifying diagnosis must stem from a traumatic event during work duties or vicarious trauma from work, documented via Workers' Compensation orders or a mental health professional’s evaluation. Employees can sue for violations and seek remedies like reinstatement, back pay, or fines up to $10,000 per violation, with the law taking effect immediately.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 12, 2026 Last action Feb 12, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Feb 12, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Jim Beach
Jim Beach
DDemocratic
NJ
6