Labor & Employment in New Jersey

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

A 3292: Permits certain cities to transfer a portion of its public employees from a locally-administered health benefits program to SHBP.

This bill (A3292) allows New Jersey's largest cities (first-class municipalities with over 150,000 residents) to transfer only some public employees from their local health benefits program into the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), rather than requiring all employees to switch at once. It mandates that cities provide affected employees with 45 days' written notice before switching providers and share detailed plan comparisons of both current and proposed benefits. The change applies specifically to cities that choose to use this option via a formal resolution, while retaining local control over other employees' coverage. This modifies existing rules that previously required full, all-or-nothing transitions for municipalities.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3579: Provides same military service credit for compensation purposes to noncertificated employees of school districts that is provided to certificated employees under current law.

This bill (S 3579) extends military service credit for compensation purposes to noncertificated school district employees (such as administrators or support staff) who are hired on or after the bill's effective date. Currently, certificated employees (like teachers) receive this credit, but noncertificated staff did not. The bill provides that eligible noncertificated employees will receive equivalent credit for military service toward compensation increments, limited to four increments. This applies only to new hires and does not reduce existing benefits under other laws.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

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

A 1757: Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for businesses that employ formerly incarcerated individuals.

This bill proposes a New Jersey tax credit for businesses that hire formerly incarcerated individuals. Businesses would receive a 10% credit on qualified wages paid to these employees (capped at $1,200 per person per tax year), provided they hire at least 25% formerly incarcerated new employees and maintain 50% of those hires from the previous year. To qualify, employees must be in sustained employment (at least 185 business days) and businesses must conduct targeted recruitment for formerly incarcerated individuals and their immediate families. The bill includes safeguards against abuse, such as denying credits if businesses displace other workers solely to claim the credit, and prevents double-dipping with other state tax credits.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits

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

A 995: Requires continued employment for physicians diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder under certain conditions.

This bill protects physicians in New Jersey from employment retaliation related to work-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It prohibits employers from firing, discriminating against, or threatening physicians who take leave for a qualifying PTSD diagnosis, requiring reinstatement to their previous role after fitness is documented by an outside licensed professional. A diagnosis qualifies only if it stems from work-related trauma (directly experiencing/witnessing events or vicarious trauma from patient care) and is verified by a healthcare provider other than the physician. Violations allow employees to sue for remedies including reinstatement, back pay, and civil fines of $5,000 for first offenses or $10,000 for repeat violations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

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

A 2425: Establishes educational service agencies for procuring custodial and food services in schools and ensures certain employee rights for affected employees.

This bill creates county-level educational service agencies (ESAs) that school districts must use to procure custodial and food services. It requires all school districts in a county to join the local ESA, which will negotiate master contracts for these services - replacing direct contracts between schools and private vendors. The bill specifically protects service employees (like cafeteria workers and custodians) by guaranteeing "recall rights," ensuring they can return to their previous jobs in seniority order if their former contractor is replaced by the ESA. This affects school districts, private service contractors, and approximately 10,000+ food/custodial workers across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

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

A 3646: Establishes Nuclear Energy Apprenticeship, Training, and Employment Resources Pilot Program in DOLWD; appropriates $1 million.

This bill establishes a 5-year Nuclear Energy Apprenticeship Pilot Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor, funded with $1 million. It provides grants to eligible entities like colleges, unions, and businesses that operate or plan nuclear energy apprenticeships approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, with a focus on underserved communities and nuclear waste workers. To receive funding, applicants must partner with industry, demonstrate financial commitment, and show how the program addresses workforce gaps. Grantees must report annually on participant enrollment, completion, and job placement, while the Department of Labor will evaluate the program's effectiveness yearly. The program aims to train workers for nuclear energy infrastructure, utilities, and related sectors through structured apprenticeships.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Nuclear Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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

A 2955: Provides employers with various tax incentives for hiring persons with disabilities under insurance premiums tax, corporation business tax and gross income tax.

This bill (A 2955) proposes tax incentives for New Jersey employers who hire individuals with disabilities. It would allow employers to claim credits against insurance premiums tax, corporation business tax, and gross income tax, including: 30% of the first $6,000 in wages for a new employee with a disability during their first year (20% in the second year), up to $600 for work-related transportation costs, and small business access improvement credits. The credits would apply only to employees certified by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services as meeting the federal ADA definition of disability. The bill is pending before the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tags People with Disabilities

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

A 3074: Establishes Inclusive Workplaces Program in EDA to provide grants and tax credits to encourage employer investment in workspaces inclusive of neurodivergent employees; appropriates $2.5 million.

This bill establishes the Inclusive Workplaces Program within New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide financial support for employers creating inclusive environments for neurodivergent employees. It offers grants of up to $25,000 per small business (employing fewer than 150 people) and tax credits (up to $25,000 or 50% of eligible investments) for large businesses (150+ employees), both requiring at least one or three neurodivergent employees respectively. Key provisions include funding for sensory-friendly workspace adjustments, adaptive equipment, and staff training programs, with a total annual appropriation of $2.5 million. The program requires employers to apply and demonstrate specific workplace investments before receiving support.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4435: Establishes "Employment First Commission."

This bill establishes the "Employment First Commission" within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The commission, made up of 17 members including state agency heads and representatives from disability organizations, individuals with disabilities, and advocates, will focus on improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Its key duties include analyzing employment data, identifying service gaps, making recommendations to state agencies, and developing an online resource hub for disability employment information. The commission directly affects individuals with disabilities seeking competitive integrated employment - meaning work in regular workplaces at fair wages - and the state agencies that provide related services.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Tags People with Disabilities

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

A 2046: Provides gross income tax deduction to eligible educators and paraprofessionals for expense of classroom supplies.

This bill allows eligible New Jersey educators (K-12 teachers, counselors, principals) and paraprofessionals (school aides) to deduct up to $250 of unreimbursed classroom supply expenses from their gross income tax. It covers costs like books, computers, software, and classroom materials, but excludes nonathletic supplies for health or physical education classes. To qualify, individuals must work at least 900 hours annually in a New Jersey public or private elementary/secondary school. The deduction applies to taxable years starting after the bill's enactment date.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax K-12 Education Teachers

All labor & employment bills