Labor & Employment (Workers' Compensation)

New Jersey bill S 257 would exempt individuals receiving unemployment compensation benefits or whose benefits ended within the past six months from paying application and appeal fees for civil service job exams. Specifically, it removes the $25 application fee for open competitive exams and the $20 appeal fee for these individuals, as outlined in amended Section 1 of P.L.1992, c.197. The bill directly affects unemployed New Jersey residents currently or recently receiving unemployment benefits, removing a financial barrier to applying for state government jobs. Fees collected under this exemption would continue to fund civil service operations as specified in the existing law. This is a policy change to improve access to state employment for unemployed residents, not a change to unemployment benefits themselves.

This bill creates a system requiring companies that connect workers to consumers (like gig economy platforms) to contribute 15% of each worker's monthly earnings into portable benefits accounts. It directly affects workers who provide services 40+ hours monthly as independent contractors (paid via 1099), excluding unionized workers, real estate agents, and healthcare professionals. These contributions fund worker-selected benefits including workers' compensation, health insurance, paid time off, and retirement options, managed by nonprofit benefit providers. Workers choose which benefits to receive from the available options, and companies must pay contributions monthly within 15 days of service.

This bill extends the time window from 7 to 10 days for workers who leave a job for a new one that later gets rescinded.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applies when a worker gives notice to their first employer about a planned departure date, and the second job offer is withdrawn.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.