Labor & Employment in New Jersey

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

A 3281: Establishes certain marine firefighting training course requirements.

This bill (A 3281) requires all land-based firefighters in New Jersey - both paid and volunteer - who perform fire suppression, firefighting, or fire rescue to complete Coast Guard-approved marine firefighting training. It mandates three training tiers: a basic course (with existing firefighters having one year to complete it after enactment), an advanced course within two years of basic training, and biennial in-service training thereafter. The bill also establishes a separate instructor qualification course for firefighters who complete the basic/advanced training and meet in-service requirements. The legislation is pending before the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee, with no effective date set yet.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2286: Revises child labor laws concerning employment of minor in theatrical production.

This bill (A 2286) revised New Jersey's child labor laws specifically for minors working in theatrical productions. It established age-based daily work hour limits: minors aged 6-9 could work up to 6 hours per day (with no more than 8 hours on set), those aged 9-16 up to 7 hours (max 9 hours on set), and those aged 16-18 up to 8 hours (max 10 hours on set). The bill also required medical certification, schooling during work hours (3 hours per missed school day), and employer-supervised care, while creating a new permit registration system separate from general child labor databases. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it had been approved as P.L. 2025, c. 382.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor Professional Licensing

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

A 1998: Revises certain laws governing police and fire interest arbitration.

This bill revises New Jersey's process for resolving contract disputes between police and fire departments and their unions. It requires negotiations to begin 120 days before a contract expires, with at least three meetings (including one by day 90), and mandates mediation or fact-finding if an impasse occurs. If unresolved, disputes move to binding arbitration, where an arbitrator must consider nine statutory criteria when determining wage and benefit changes. The bill also establishes standards for selecting and training arbitrators on a special panel, including annual ethics training and adherence to professional conduct guidelines.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

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

A 101: Requires NJT to equip trains with defibrillators.

This bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to install and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on every train set used for passenger service. It mandates that each AED be kept accessible at all times during operation, marked with a clear sign, and regularly tested. NJT must also ensure at least one employee trained in CPR and AED use is present on every operating train, and notify emergency services about AED locations. The bill applies directly to NJT’s rail operations and passengers using its trains, aiming to improve emergency medical response during cardiac incidents.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Rail

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 980: Expands certain employer reporting requirements to include entities that employ or contract with individuals for financial compensation, including ride-sharing and delivery technology platforms.

This bill expands New Jersey's existing employer reporting requirements to include ride-sharing, delivery, and other technology platforms that contract with workers for pay. It requires these entities to report worker details (name, address, date of birth, Social Security number) and their own business information to the state within 20 days of hiring or rehiring, or every 15 days if reporting electronically. Failure to comply results in civil penalties of up to $25 per violation, or $500 for intentional false reporting. The law applies to all employers and contractors paying workers in New Jersey, including those using Form 1099 for compensation.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Gig Economy

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

A 3554: Removes exception of self-insured health benefits plans from law concerning pharmacy benefits managers.

This New Jersey bill (A-3554) removes an exemption that previously allowed self-insured employer health plans (covered under federal law) to be excluded from state regulations governing pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs). It directly affects self-insured health plans by requiring them to comply with the state's existing PBM rules, such as transparency and fair pricing standards. The bill also mandates a report to state legislators examining how a 2020 U.S. Supreme Court ruling (Rutledge v. PCMA) impacts these regulations. The policy change applies to all health plans renewed or initiated after the effective date, ensuring consistent oversight of PBMs across all plan types.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 3946: Requires emergency medical technicians and firefighters to receive training concerning electric vehicle fires.

This bill requires all New Jersey firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to complete specific training about the risks and safe management of electric vehicle (EV) fires. Firefighters must finish the training within 36 months of the law's effective date, while EMTs must complete it before initial certification or within 36 months if already certified. The training covers EV fire risks and safe response procedures, developed by the Division of Fire Safety (for firefighters) and the Commissioner of Health (for EMTs). It directly affects all current and future firefighters engaged in fire suppression/rescue and EMTs certified in basic life support. The law mandates implementation through new rules and regulations by the responsible agencies.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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

A 1043: Requires owners of certain buildings to test drinking water for Legionella bacteria.

This bill requires owners of specific buildings - including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, public housing, and correctional facilities - to test drinking water annually for Legionella bacteria. Owners must use Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)-approved methods and labs, report results to the DEP, and notify residents if levels exceed DEP-set standards. If contamination is found, owners must begin remediation within 30 days and complete it within six months, followed by retesting to confirm safety. The law aims to prevent Legionnaires' disease outbreaks by ensuring regular water safety checks in high-risk facilities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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

A 2296: Requires certain golf courses to maintain automated external defibrillator.

This New Jersey bill requires owners of qualifying 18-hole public golf courses (excluding 9-hole, par-3, or miniature courses) to maintain an automated external defibrillator (AED). Within one year of enactment, course operators must acquire, store accessibly, and maintain an AED, notify emergency services of its location, and ensure at least one employee on-site during business hours holds current certification in AED use and CPR. Violations carry escalating civil penalties: $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second, and $1,000 for subsequent violations. The law applies only to full-sized public courses meeting the defined criteria.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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

A 1610: Changes eligibility of Administrative Law Judges from DCRP to PERS.

This bill changes the retirement eligibility for Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) in New Jersey. Currently excluded from the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), ALJs will now qualify for PERS membership under this amendment. Specifically, it removes the exclusion of "Administrative Law Judges of the Office of Administrative Law" from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP), placing them directly into PERS instead. This means ALJs will participate in the state's main retirement system for public employees rather than remaining outside it, affecting their future retirement benefits and contributions. The change applies to current and future ALJs upon the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

All labor & employment bills