Labor & Employment in New Jersey

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

A 3827: Establishes additional manner of employer compliance to provide earned sick leave for certain employees subject to collective bargaining agreements.

This bill amends New Jersey's earned sick leave law to provide a compliance option for employers covered by collective bargaining agreements. Specifically, it allows such employers to meet the law's requirements by offering employees 40 or more hours of any paid time off (including vacation, personal, or sick days) per benefit year, rather than requiring separate sick leave accrual. This provision applies retroactively to the effective date of the original 2018 earned sick leave law (P.L.2018, c.10). It directly affects unionized workplaces by simplifying compliance through existing paid time off policies. The change does not alter the 40-hour annual limit or eligibility rules for employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards Paid Leave

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

A 1379: Prohibits certain non-disclosure and non-disparagement provisions in employment contracts.

This bill prohibits employment contracts from including non-disclosure or non-disparagement clauses that waive rights related to discrimination, retaliation, or harassment claims. It requires settlement agreements resolving such claims to include a clear notice stating these clauses are unenforceable if the employee publicly discloses details identifying the employer. The bill removes an exception allowing collective bargaining agreements to contain these clauses but permits mediation or arbitration for discrimination claims in such agreements. The law applies to all employment contracts and settlement agreements entered into on or after the effective date.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Employment Discrimination

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

A 258: Extends "whistleblower" protections to employee disclosure of governmental mismanagement, waste and abuse.

This bill (A 258) expands whistleblower protections for employees of New Jersey government entities. It prohibits employers (including state, county, municipal, school district, and agency staff) from retaliating against employees who disclose: violations of law, fraudulent activity, substantial waste of public funds, or abuse of authority/gross mismanagement by government entities. Employees can report these issues to supervisors or public bodies without fear of termination, demotion, or other adverse employment actions. The law specifically defines key terms like "substantial waste of public funds" and "abuse of authority" to clarify protected disclosures. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Labor Committee.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

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

A 2567: Prohibits automobile insurance policies from disclaiming uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage based on use of motor vehicle owned by insured's employer.

This bill prohibits automobile insurers in New Jersey from excluding uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage when an insured uses a vehicle owned by their employer. It directly affects employees who drive employer-owned vehicles as part of their job duties. The key provision requires insurers to provide full coverage under these circumstances without disclaimers, ensuring protection for drivers using work vehicles. The bill amends existing insurance law to eliminate this specific exclusion, maintaining consistent coverage requirements for all covered vehicles.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

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

A 3111: Requires Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to suspend accrual of interest on certain New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students Loan Program loans in deferment or forbearance.

This bill requires New Jersey's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to stop interest from accruing on NJCLASS loans for borrowers approved for deferment or forbearance due to temporary disability, unemployment, or financial hardship between March 9 and September 9, 2020. It directly affects New Jersey college students with NJCLASS loans who qualify for these hardship-related repayment options during that specific period. The key provision mandates HESAA to suspend interest accumulation during approved deferment or forbearance periods - unlike standard practice where interest continues to accrue. This change provides immediate financial relief by preventing additional interest charges during the designated timeframe. The bill took effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Unemployment

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

A 2187: Establishes 10 year Menstrual Leave and Remote Work Pilot Program.

This bill establishes a 10-year voluntary pilot program in New Jersey for employers to provide two fully paid medical leave days or two remote work days per month to employees with qualifying menstrual disorders, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. Employees must provide physician documentation confirming their condition. Employers participating in the program receive tax credits (100% of wages for leave, 25% for remote work) to offset costs, with an annual $10 million cap on total credits. The program prohibits discrimination against employees using these accommodations and requires employers to follow existing anti-discrimination laws. It directly affects employees with specific medical conditions and participating employers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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

A 1284: Prohibits public procurement of electric vehicles that may have been made through forced labor.

New Jersey's Bill A1284 bans public agencies from purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) or their components if they might involve forced labor or child labor. It requires manufacturers to provide sworn certifications confirming no forced labor or child labor was used in production or material sourcing. Public entities like schools, state colleges, and local governments must obtain these certifications before buying EVs, with penalties of up to $10,000 per false statement or 50% of the purchase price for false claims. The law applies to all public EV procurement but excludes cases conflicting with federal law or funding terms.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor

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

A 1990: Requires transparency concerning compensation in employment listings and with promotional opportunities.

This New Jersey bill requires most employers (with 10+ employees) to disclose salary ranges, supplemental pay, and detailed benefits (including health care, leave, and retirement plans) in all job postings and transfer opportunities. It also mandates that employers announce promotion opportunities to all current employees in the relevant department before making a decision, unless promotions are based solely on experience or performance. Employers failing to comply face civil penalties of up to $300 for the first violation and $600 for subsequent violations. Temporary staffing agencies are exempt from posting pay details for general job searches but must provide this information during interviews for specific roles.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

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

A 1695: Establishes procedures and standards regarding public service privatization contracts.

This bill establishes rules for when New Jersey state and local agencies contract with private companies to replace public employees providing services (e.g., sanitation, maintenance). It requires agencies to use competitive bidding for contracts over $500,000 (local) or $1 million (state), prove substantial cost savings, and ensure services maintain current quality and pricing. Key provisions include mandating public disclosure of bid details, requiring contractors to match public employee wages/benefits, and demanding quarterly public reports on service quality and costs. Contracts must not increase fees for the public or reduce service standards, and agencies must retain the ability to reclaim services if needed. Exclusions cover emergency contracts, IT services, and certain rehabilitation programs.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

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

A 2464: Requires DOLWD and DHS to conduct assessment of community rehabilitation programs and community businesses.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) and Department of Human Services (DHS) to assess whether employment opportunities through community rehabilitation programs and businesses - such as call centers, work crews, AbilityOne contracts, and rehabilitation facility programs - meet federal "competitive integrated employment" standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It directly affects people with disabilities seeking jobs in these settings by ensuring their employment options are evaluated for compliance with WIOA's criteria, including interaction with non-disabled coworkers in typical work environments. The law mandates case-by-case assessments to determine if programs qualify as "competitive integrated employment," while prohibiting disqualification solely based on program type (e.g., AbilityOne or rehabilitation facility contracts). This creates a formal process for agencies to verify that employment options provide equitable opportunities aligned with federal guidelines.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Tags People with Disabilities

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