Labor & Employment in New Jersey

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

A 1561: Concerns eligibility for unemployment benefits for certain seasonal workers.

This bill modifies New Jersey's unemployment benefits eligibility rules to better support seasonal workers. It specifically adds that individuals taking unpaid vacations between seasonal jobs - where the break isn't self-initiated (e.g., after a seasonal role ends) - cannot be denied benefits for that week. The change prevents unemployment claims from being rejected solely due to these standard seasonal work gaps. This directly affects workers in seasonal industries like tourism, agriculture, or retail who transition between temporary roles.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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

A 3860: Provides corporation business tax credit for certain investment in manufacturing equipment and manufacturing facility renovation, modernization, and expansion, or hiring and training of new employees for manufacturing purposes.

This New Jersey bill provides a 10% tax credit for businesses that invest in manufacturing equipment, renovate or expand facilities, or hire and train new employees within designated Smart Growth Areas. It directly affects manufacturers operating in specific growth zones, such as urban enterprise zones or transit villages, by reducing their corporation business tax liability. The credit covers 10% of costs for new equipment, facility improvements, or hiring/training (with employees retained for 365 days), but cannot exceed 50% of the tax owed. Unused credits may be carried forward for up to seven years. The bill prohibits using this credit alongside other existing tax credits for the same expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1530: Provides certain requirements concerning railroad safety.

This bill (A 1530) requires railroad operators of "dangerous hazardous trains" (those carrying 200,000+ gallons of petroleum or 20,000+ gallons of specific hazardous substances like anhydrous ammonia) to maintain a minimum of two crew members and clearly display the railroad company name. Exceptions apply for mechanical assistance, tourist trains, yard moves, or small operations with ≤15 employees operating at ≤15 mph. It directly affects railroad companies transporting large volumes of hazardous materials, aiming to improve safety through crew staffing and identification. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved as P.L.2025, c.300.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Rail

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

A 2242: Establishes "Health Care for Child Care Program"; appropriates $10 million.

This bill creates the "Health Care for Child Care Program" to provide state-funded health insurance coverage for employees at licensed New Jersey child care centers. It appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to cover the full premium costs for eligible workers - those employed at least 30 hours weekly for 90 days at a licensed center or registered family child care home - through New Jersey’s gold-level health plan. The program eliminates out-of-pocket costs for workers and their employers, with the Department of Banking and Insurance administering the fund. It directly affects child care workers, who often lack employer-provided health benefits, and aims to stabilize the sector by reducing financial strain on centers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics State Budget Insurance

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 3564: Establishes "New Jersey Private Contractor Registration Act."

This bill requires private contractors performing construction work in New Jersey (excluding public work or home improvement projects) to register with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development before starting work. It mandates registration with specific details including business information, licenses, and disclosures about labor law violations. The registration process includes providing tax IDs, unemployment insurance numbers, and documentation showing compliance with state business requirements. Contractors already registered for public works projects are exempt from these new requirements. The bill directly affects businesses engaged in private construction work who must register to legally operate in the state.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

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

A 3868: Establishes fringe benefit rate for State public higher education institutions; requires employer pay for health care benefits for certain part-time faculty.

This bill establishes a new calculation method for retirement costs at New Jersey's public colleges and universities (like Rutgers and NJIT), requiring the state to set a separate "fringe benefit rate" reflecting actual retirement expenses. It also requires public institutions to pay for health insurance coverage for part-time faculty (including adjuncts and lecturers) who taught at least 24 credits in the prior fiscal year and 12 credits in the current year, making them eligible for benefits as if they were full-time. Employers must cover the full cost of health plans, shifting this responsibility from part-time faculty who meet the teaching credit thresholds. The bill aims to standardize retirement cost accounting and expand health coverage access for qualifying part-time educators.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Insurance

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

A 1021: Creates standards for independent bias auditing of automated employment decision tools.

This New Jersey bill requires employers and employment agencies to conduct annual independent audits of automated tools used for hiring, promotion, or employment decisions to identify potential bias. The audits must measure the tool’s impact on protected categories (like race, gender, age, and disability) by calculating selection rates and impact ratios, and provide actionable recommendations to address disparities. Employers cannot use these tools if they haven’t had a recent audit, and independent auditors must have no conflicts of interest with the employer or tool developer. The law directly affects job seekers and employees evaluated by such tools, aiming to ensure fairer employment practices.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

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

A 584: Requires employers within construction industry to notify employees of certain rights.

This bill requires construction employers in New Jersey to clearly display and provide written notice to all employees about their workplace rights, including unemployment benefits, minimum wage, overtime pay, and protections against retaliation under the existing Construction Industry Independent Contractor Act (P.L.2007, c.114). Employers must post the notice in accessible locations and provide written copies at hiring or upon request, in English, Spanish, and other languages needed based on the workforce. Employers who fail to comply face civil penalties of up to $1,500 for a first violation and $5,000 for repeat violations within five years. The notice must also include contact details for filing complaints with the Labor Department about rights violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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

A 1787: Extends from six to 12 months compensation program for injured law enforcement officers and other employees; revises type of injury needed to qualify for program.

This bill (A 1787) extends the duration of wage replacement payments for specific public safety workers injured during official duties from six to 12 months. It directly affects correctional officers, parole officers, human services police, campus police, medical security officers, and civilian employees working with inmates, who suffer serious bodily injury from assaults by those under their supervision or custody. The bill requires employers to provide supplemental payments so injured workers receive their full net wage (combined with workers' compensation) for up to 12 months, while protecting existing fringe benefits. It amends existing law (P.L.2017, c.93) to update the timeframe and ensure continued income support during recovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Probation & Parole

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

A 1184: Revises test for employment or independent contractor status under certain State labor laws.

This bill (A 1184) is formally titled about revising employment status tests but actually amends definitions in New Jersey's unemployment benefits law (R.S.43:21-19). It revises terms like "annual payroll," "base year," and "benefit year" to clarify how unemployment benefits are calculated, including rules for alternative base years when wage data is unavailable. The changes affect individuals filing for unemployment benefits and employers reporting wages, specifically impacting how eligibility and benefit amounts are determined under existing state law. The bill does not alter the test for classifying workers as employees versus independent contractors, despite its title.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Unemployment

All labor & employment bills