Labor & Employment in New Jersey

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

A 4735: Clarifies that amateur sports official is independent contractor for purposes of State employment laws.

This bill clarifies that amateur sports officials, such as referees and umpires, are classified as independent contractors rather than employees under New Jersey State employment laws. The legislation explicitly exempts these officials from various state protections and obligations, including unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, wage and hour laws, and income tax withholding requirements. By establishing this classification, the bill ensures that individuals who enforce rules, manage games, and ensure participant safety in amateur athletic events are not subject to standard employee status for any and all purposes covered by state statutes. The change applies immediately and retroactively to any pending audits or legal proceedings regarding the classification of amateur sports officials.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3846: Exempts certain non-profit entities from requirement that certain employers offer employees certain pre-tax transportation fringe benefits.

This bill exempts certain tax-exempt non-profit organizations from a state requirement that employers with 20 or more employees must offer pre-tax transportation fringe benefits to their staff. The law currently mandates that qualifying employers provide this benefit, but this measure removes that obligation for entities recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. By excluding these non-profits from the mandate, the bill aims to reduce administrative burdens and potential tax liabilities associated with offering the benefit. The change applies immediately upon enactment and does not affect for-profit businesses or other employer types subject to the existing transportation benefit rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 4045: Clarifies that amateur sports official is independent contractor for purposes of State employment laws.

This bill clarifies that amateur sports officials, such as referees and umpires, are classified as independent contractors rather than employees under New Jersey state employment laws. The legislation directly affects individuals who are paid to enforce rules, manage games, and ensure participant safety in amateur athletic events. Key provisions exempt these officials from various state protections and obligations, including unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, wage and hour laws, and certain tax requirements. The law applies retroactively to any pending legal or administrative proceedings that might have previously classified these workers as employees.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4638: Prohibits the employment of unauthorized aliens and requires employers to use E-Verify program.

This bill would require all employers in New Jersey to use the federal E-Verify system to check the work authorization status of new employees, with larger companies (100+ employees) starting by December 2020 and smaller businesses following by December 2021. The legislation prohibits employers from intentionally or knowingly hiring individuals who lack legal work authorization under federal law. To enforce these rules, the state would conduct random audits and investigate complaints, imposing civil penalties of $100 to $1,000 per violation for non-compliance. The Attorney General or county prosecutors would handle investigations into intentional violations, while state officials would rely on federal verification for immigration status rather than making independent determinations.

Topics ✗ Immigration ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Work Authorization

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4098: Raises mandatory retirement age for SPRS members from 55 to 60.

This bill raises the mandatory retirement age for New Jersey State Police members from 55 to 60 years. It directly affects all state police officers covered by the State Police Retirement System (SPRS), excluding the Superintendent of State Police. The change means officers must retire at age 60 instead of 55, while maintaining the existing 20-year service requirement for retirement benefits. The bill does not alter other provisions, such as health coverage for retirees with less than 25 years of service.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3544: Prohibits toll-free passage for SJTA employees, officers, and members except while commuting or carrying out official duties.

This bill modifies New Jersey's existing toll regulations to prohibit free toll passage for South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) employees, officers, and members. It specifically restricts toll-free access to vehicles operated only during commuting to/from work or while performing official duties for the SJTA. Collective bargaining agreements covering these employees will not override this requirement. The change applies to all SJTA personnel covered under current or future labor agreements.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 689: Eliminates payments for unused sick leave earned after effective date; limits carry forward of unused vacation leave; requires suspension and forfeiture of certain payments; limits use of unused sick leave in year before retirement.

This bill changes how New Jersey public employees receive cash payments for unused sick leave upon retirement. It caps these payments at $15,000 (the previous limit) and stops payments for sick leave earned after the bill's effective date. It also limits how much unused vacation leave can be carried forward and requires suspension of payments if an employee is indicted for certain crimes, with full forfeiture if convicted of qualifying offenses. These changes directly affect public employees in school districts, government agencies, and other public workplaces covered by New Jersey's sick leave laws.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2258: Allows cities to close existing life guard pension plans to new entrants and modifies certain life guard pension benefits; makes new life guard pension plans permissive.

This bill allows cities of the fourth class in New Jersey to close existing life guard pension plans to new employees while modifying certain benefits. It permits cities with established pension plans to stop enrolling new members, though current and retired members retain their benefits. Cities without existing plans are no longer required to create new life guard pension programs. The bill also ensures that members who don’t qualify for pensions receive their accumulated contributions plus interest. (Note: The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.396.)

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2779: Excludes certain illegal aliens from workers' compensation and temporary disability benefits.

This New Jersey bill (A2779) amends workers' compensation and temporary disability benefit laws to exclude undocumented immigrant workers from eligibility. It specifically modifies the definition of "employee" to deny benefits to individuals who are not lawfully present in the U.S. at the time of injury - meaning undocumented workers would not qualify for these benefits even if injured on the job. The key mechanism adds a new exclusion clause to the eligibility criteria, stating benefits are unavailable to "aliens unless they were lawfully admitted for permanent residence" or otherwise legally present under U.S. immigration law. The bill directly affects undocumented immigrant workers in New Jersey who suffer work-related injuries or disabilities. It has been introduced and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.

Topics ✗ Immigration ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Workers' Compensation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1452: Allows political subdivisions of State to purchase unused sick leave from officer or employee under certain circumstances; prohibits authorizing special emergency appropriations for unused sick leave purchases.

This bill allows New Jersey local governments (like cities, towns, and counties) to purchase unused sick leave from public employees under strict limits. It prohibits paying more than $15,000 in supplemental compensation for unused sick leave upon retirement, caps annual purchases at 120 hours per employee, and requires payments to not exceed 60% of the leave's value based on pensionable salary. Employees must retain at least 800 hours of unused sick leave after any purchase, and local governments cannot use emergency funds to cover these purchases. The bill directly affects public employees in New Jersey political subdivisions who may sell unused sick leave before retirement.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

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