Labor & Employment (Paid Leave) in New Jersey

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

A 680: Prohibits local units of government from adopting increased minimum wage and mandatory paid sick leave for private employers.

This bill prohibits New Jersey cities, counties, and their agencies from enacting minimum wage increases or mandatory paid sick leave requirements for private employers, including contractors and vendors working with local governments. It declares any local ordinance on these employment conditions "null and void," requiring the state to set uniform standards instead of allowing local variations. The bill does not change the existing state minimum wage (currently set at $15.00/hour for most workers by 2028), but prevents local governments from imposing higher rates or additional paid leave rules. It directly affects local governments' authority and private employers operating within the state.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage Paid Leave

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2015: Provides paid leave for employee to attend certain events of child of employee; establishes tax credits for employer that provide those leave benefits.

S 2015 requires most New Jersey employers to provide up to two full paid workdays for employees to attend their children's school events (like conferences or meetings), in addition to existing earned sick leave. Employers offering this benefit would receive tax credits equal to the wages paid during those days, reducing their corporate or income tax liability. The tax credits are capped at $10 million annually, with reports to the legislature on program usage. The bill is pending and would take effect in 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Paid Leave

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 678: Requires State Police to establish recovery leave policy for troopers presenting proof of pregnancy.

This bill requires New Jersey State Police to create a recovery leave policy for troopers who provide proof of pregnancy. The policy must guarantee at least eight weeks of paid leave after childbirth with full benefits, not counting as sick leave or reducing sick leave balances, and must exempt troopers from residency restrictions or integrity checks during this period. The Superintendent must post clear information about the policy, including required forms, FAQs, and contact details, on the State Police intranet. Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was already covered under P.L.2025, c.259.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1175: Requires counties to establish crisis intervention services programs for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and sheriff's officers.

New Jersey's S 1175 requires counties to establish independent crisis intervention programs providing mental health support for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and sheriff's officers after traumatic incidents. The programs must offer debriefing and counseling for issues like depression or stress stemming from critical events - such as shootings, hostage situations, or witnessing deaths - and cannot be housed at police or fire stations. Counties receive state reimbursement for program costs, and employers must allow officers to attend sessions without using paid leave. The law mandates participation in these services after critical incidents (defined as events involving weapons, injuries, or traumatic responses) before returning to duty, with pay protection for up to 30 days if deemed unfit for duty.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Mental Health Paid Leave

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1869: Concerns bereavement leave for miscarriage and stillbirth.

This bill (S 1869) expands New Jersey’s family leave law to explicitly include bereavement leave for miscarriage or stillbirth. It directly affects employees working for employers with 30+ staff (reducing the prior threshold of 50 employees for some periods) who need time to grieve such losses. The key provision adds "miscarriage or stillbirth of a child" to the existing definition of qualifying reasons for 12 weeks of job-protected leave within a 24-month period. The bill amends existing law (P.L.1989, c.261) to clarify that this leave is available under the state’s family leave framework, without creating new requirements beyond the existing 12-week entitlement.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2046: Establishes protected leave under "Family Leave Act" and family temporary disability leave benefits for bereavement for death of child, miscarriage, stillbirth, and certain other circumstances.

This New Jersey bill (S 2046) expands the Family Leave Act to provide up to 21 days of protected leave for employees experiencing specific bereavement events, including the death of a child (including stillbirth), miscarriage, or failed fertility treatment. It directly affects employees working for employers with 30+ staff (down from 50 under previous rules), covering situations like pregnancy loss or a child’s death, whether through birth, adoption, or gestational carrier arrangements. The leave is available through the existing Temporary Disability Benefits system, with 21 days for cases not covered by other leave types (like miscarriage) and 7 days when other leave applies (like stillbirth). This change ensures employees can take time off without job loss for these deeply personal losses, aligning with New Jersey’s broader family leave protections.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 174: Prohibits public disclosure of names and addresses in certain unemployment, temporary disability, and family leave claim appeals documents.

This bill (S 174) prohibits public disclosure of personal identifying information - such as names and addresses - in appeals documents related to unemployment, temporary disability, and family leave claims. It directly affects individuals who file these appeals by keeping their personal details confidential in public records. The key mechanism requires state agencies to redact or withhold such information from documents made available under open records laws. This amendment updates existing confidentiality protections under New Jersey law to specifically cover these types of benefit appeals. The bill does not change eligibility rules or benefit amounts, only how personal data is handled in appeal records.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Unemployment Data Privacy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2213: Requires distribution of family leave informational materials to certain patients.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (with input from the Department of Labor) to create and distribute informational materials about family leave programs under the state's 1989 Family Leave Act. Specifically, it mandates that healthcare facilities providing maternity care must make these materials available in waiting areas and give them to patients at the time of discharge. The materials must be included in hospital discharge plans for patients with designated caregivers, as part of the required after-care instructions. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Hospitals Women's Health Paid Leave

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1482: Requires employer to disclose information concerning leave eligibility in hiring package.

This bill requires employers in New Jersey to provide written information about an applicant's eligibility for family, medical, and disability leave benefits at the time of a job offer. It directly affects job applicants by disclosing whether they would qualify for specific leave types under state or federal law (including the Family Leave Act, FMLA, and disability benefits) and, if ineligible, the reason for ineligibility. Employers must also direct applicants to a state webpage with further leave information. Failure to comply results in a $500 civil penalty per violation. The law aims to ensure transparency about future workplace benefits during the hiring process.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2681: Requires certain salary, compensation and benefit information to be included in certain job postings.

S 2681 requires employers in New Jersey with 10 or more employees to include specific compensation and benefit details in all job postings. Employers must disclose the minimum and maximum salary range, supplemental compensation, benefits (like paid leave and health care), and retirement plans offered. This applies to all job postings on any platform, whether posted by the employer directly or through a third-party site. Employers who fail to comply face civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, enforceable by the Commissioner of Labor.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave

All labor & employment bills