New Jersey's Bill A2478 establishes the Artificial Intelligence Ethics Board within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The board will oversee the sale and use of AI technology in the state, requiring vendors to conduct mandatory "AI Impact Assessments" before selling AI products. These assessments must evaluate privacy risks and potential job displacement, with the board setting minimum standards for them. The bill also directs the board to recommend worker protections, including advance notice, retraining, and severance for employees displaced by AI adoption by employers.
This bill (A2748) expands New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly protect individuals based on "service in the Armed Forces of the United States" and "liability for service" (meaning being subject to military service requirements). It directly affects current military members, veterans, and those subject to military service obligations in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The key change adds these categories to the list of protected characteristics under the law, ensuring discrimination claims related to military service can be addressed under existing anti-discrimination statutes. The bill was withdrawn after being enacted as P.L.2025, c.307, meaning it is now law.
This bill standardizes pension benefits for New Jersey teachers by moving all current non-retired members of the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) into a single benefit tier (previously called "Tier 1"), granting them the same retirement benefits as members who joined before July 1, 2007. It requires public employers to enroll teachers earning above minimum salary but not meeting work-hour requirements into TAPF within 60 days of enactment. Teachers in the separate Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) can automatically transfer their service credit to TAPF for retirement eligibility (but not pension amount calculations), with contributions staying in DCRP; they may opt out within six months of notification. The bill also allows TAPF members with long-term disability insurance to apply for disability retirement within two years of enactment.
This bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to ensure all interior doors providing access to train operator cabins or control compartments remain locked at all times, except during emergencies or when health, safety, or security demands otherwise. It directly affects NJT passenger trains by mandating this safety measure for all rail vehicles owned or operated by NJ Transit. The key provision is the permanent locking requirement for these specific doors, with clear exceptions for emergency situations. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
New Jersey's Bill A 3438 would provide a $1,000 annual refundable tax credit to staff members working at licensed childcare centers. Eligible staff include full-time, part-time, substitute, and contract workers employed during the center's operating hours. If the credit reduces a taxpayer's state income tax liability to zero, the excess amount is paid as a cash refund. The credit applies to married couples filing jointly (each spouse claims the full $1,000) and takes effect for tax years beginning January 1 following enactment.
This bill (A 3086) prohibits all consumer and commercial uses of paraquat dichloride, a toxic herbicide and desiccant, within two years of its effective date. It directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to create rules banning these uses and requiring facilities that currently use paraquat to implement worker safety measures. The law specifically exempts uses already regulated under federal law (Toxic Substances Control Act). The bill affects farmers, gardeners, and businesses using paraquat, directly addressing health risks noted by the EPA, including fatal ingestion and serious skin/eye injuries from exposure.
This bill modifies New Jersey law to improve leave and compensation for public employees who serve in military reserves or the National Guard. It guarantees up to 30 work days of paid leave per year (90 days for National Guard members) for military duty, including travel days and pre-deployment rest periods (5-10 days based on service length). Public employers must continue covering retirement and health insurance contributions during leave, and employees cannot be forced to use vacation time during military leave. The law directly affects state, county, and municipal employees who are active military reservists or National Guard members.
This New Jersey bill (A4358) increases post-delivery pregnancy-related leave benefits from six to eight weeks. It directly affects covered employees (including those with private health plans) who qualify for temporary disability benefits related to pregnancy or childbirth. Key provisions require employers to automatically process a single application for both temporary disability and paid family leave benefits (unless the employee opts out), and mandate written notice to temporary disability claimants about the combined application process. The change applies immediately to all new benefit applications filed on or after the effective date.
This bill prohibits all commercial uses of trichloroethylene (TCE) and bans consumer and commercial uses of perchloroethylene (PCE), while requiring facilities using PCE to implement worker exposure protections. It directs New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt rules mirroring federal EPA regulations (effective December 2024) that address health risks linked to these chemicals, including cancer and organ damage. The rules will apply to industries using PCE in dry cleaning, adhesives, and brake cleaners, and TCE in industrial degreasers and cleaning products. Federal preemption under the Toxic Substances Control Act exempts certain uses. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This New Jersey bill provides tax credits for businesses and individuals who pay qualified wages to disabled veterans. It allows a 15% credit (capped at $1,800 per veteran annually) on wages paid to veterans with a 30%+ service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, for sustained employment (185+ business days) during 2017-2020. The credit applies against both corporation business tax and gross income tax, with unused portions carryable forward for up to seven years. Businesses cannot claim the credit if wages are already counted toward other state tax credits or if the veteran hire appears to replace existing workers solely for the credit.
