New Jersey Bills

passed · New Jersey · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 3824: Concerns safety measures at apartment complex swimming pools.

This bill adds apartment complexes to New Jersey's list of facilities exempt from requiring lifeguards and first aid personnel at swimming pools, provided they restrict pool access to tenants and their guests. It defines an apartment complex as multiple buildings on the same premises owned by a single entity that collects monthly rent from tenants. These complexes must post a visible sign at the pool entrance stating: "No lifeguard on duty. Persons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. No swimming alone." The exemption applies only to apartment complexes that limit pool use to tenants and their invited guests, not to those open to the general public.

passed · New Jersey · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 4501: Concerns authority of owners, agents, or other persons to elect to contract with private on-site inspection agencies to complete inspections under the construction code; provides for charging of inspection fees.*

This bill allows property owners, agents, or contractors to independently choose private inspection agencies (authorized by the state) to conduct construction code inspections instead of relying solely on municipal inspectors. Previously, this option required proving municipal delays or obtaining department approval; the bill removes those restrictions, permitting the choice for any reason. It also requires fee reconciliation if private inspections replace delayed municipal ones and maintains conflict-of-interest rules for private agencies. The change directly affects construction project stakeholders and aims to improve inspection timeliness.

passed · New Jersey · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 2496: Establishes Office of New Americans in Department of Human Services.

This bill establishes the Office of New Americans within New Jersey's Department of Human Services to support immigrants, refugees, and their families (referred to as "New Americans"). It formalizes an existing office created in 2019, directing it to administer refugee resettlement services, health screenings, legal aid for low-income New Americans, and workforce development programs. The office will serve as a central hub for data and expertise, providing training to other state agencies on equitable engagement with immigrant communities and ensuring language access services. Crucially, the bill prohibits using collected data for immigration enforcement purposes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · New Jersey · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 4775: Requires DEP to provide time period during which mobile sport fishing permits may be purchased only by NJ residents.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to set aside a 14-day initial sales period each year for mobile sport fishing permits - covering all permit types like annual, 3-day, weekday, or daily permits - during which only New Jersey residents may purchase them. It directly affects individuals seeking to buy these permits for beach-based fishing in New Jersey, limiting initial access to residents during this window. The key mechanism is mandating the DEP to implement this resident-only period before general sales open to all buyers. The bill does not change permit fees or fishing rules, only the timing and eligibility for initial purchases.

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Dec 15, 2025

A 4941: Provides seniority service credit to educational support professionals for military service.

This bill (A4941) provides educational support professionals in New Jersey school districts - non-teaching staff like paraprofessionals or administrative workers - with seniority credit for military service. It allows them to count up to four years of active U.S. military service toward seniority, as if they were continuously employed, if they qualify for federal veterans' benefits. The credit applies to all military service, including time served before their current school district employment. This extends an existing benefit currently available to teaching staff to support staff.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

passed · New Jersey · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 1989: Enhances criminal penalties for persons involved in certain human trafficking activities.*

This bill strengthens New Jersey's human trafficking law by increasing penalties for traffickers. It defines trafficking more broadly (including holding people for sexual activity or labor through threats, fraud, or document confiscation) and makes violations a first-degree crime punishable by 20 years to life in prison with no parole eligibility for the first 20 years. Perpetrators must pay restitution to victims based on New Jersey's prevailing wage laws or federal standards, and fines will fund a new "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund." The law directly affects traffickers facing harsher sentences, victims receiving restitution, and agencies managing the survivor fund.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment