Labor & Employment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 495: Reinstates automatic COLAs for retirement benefits of certain SPRS members.

This bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of active and retired New Jersey State Police members enrolled in the State Police Retirement System (SPRS). It amends existing laws (P.L.1965, c.89 and P.L.1958, c.143) to restore annual benefit increases that adjust for inflation, directly affecting SPRS members. The key mechanism requires the retirement system to automatically raise benefits each year based on inflation rates, without needing separate legislative action. This change specifically applies to SPRS members, ensuring their retirement income keeps pace with rising living costs.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2612: Includes certain employees of the DLPS as members of the Prosecutors Part of PERS.

This bill expands retirement coverage under New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) by adding specific Department of Law and Public Safety (DLPS) employees to the "Prosecutors Part" of PERS. It directly affects directors, assistant directors, deputy directors, assistant attorneys general, and deputy attorneys general in the Divisions of Law and Alcoholic Beverage Control within DLPS - roles currently excluded from this retirement system. The amendment updates the legal definition of "prosecutor" to include these positions, ensuring they receive the same retirement benefits as existing prosecutor roles. This change aligns their retirement membership with current law for other DLPS employees in the Division of Criminal Justice.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

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 351: Establishes presumption for accidental disability retirement in PERS and PFRS that emergency medical technician, firefighter, and police officer has Parkinson's disease as result of employment.

S 351 establishes a presumption that Parkinson's disease in emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and police officers is caused by their job duties, allowing them to qualify for accidental disability retirement under New Jersey's Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS). This means affected first responders no longer need to prove a specific traumatic event caused their condition to access retirement benefits. The bill amends existing retirement law to explicitly include Parkinson's disease as a qualifying condition for this presumption. It directly affects current and future PERS/PFRS members who develop Parkinson's disease during their service as first responders.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1665: 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.

S 1665 creates a New Jersey program offering grants to small businesses and tax credits to large businesses that make workplace adjustments for neurodivergent employees. Small businesses (fewer than 150 employees with at least one neurodivergent worker) can receive grants up to $25,000 for sensory-friendly layouts, adaptive equipment, or neurodiversity training. Large businesses (150+ employees with three neurodivergent workers) can claim tax credits covering up to 50% of qualifying investments, capped at $25,000 per business. The program is funded by a $2.5 million appropriation, with no more than $25,000 in grants issued annually to small businesses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 28, 2026

S 3191: Requires SHBP commission to use funds from 2025 False Claims Act settlement with Horizon to lower local public employee health care contribution costs.

This bill directs the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) commission to use $78 million from the 2025 False Claims Act settlement with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield to lower health care contribution costs for public employees. It specifically applies to employees of local governments (cities, towns, counties) and school districts - not State employees or independent State authorities - covered under the SHBP health benefits program. The funds must reduce the portion employees pay for their own health coverage and dependents' coverage. This uses settlement proceeds from Horizon’s $100 million payment to the State, with $78 million allocated directly to the SHBP program.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

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 2009: Expands definition of child under PFRS and SPRS.

This bill expands the definition of "child" under New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) and State Police Retirement System (SPRS). It adds two specific scenarios: children aged 18+ enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester at a college or university, and children of any age with a documented disability preventing substantial gainful work for 12+ months. These changes directly affect the children of retired or deceased police officers and firefighters who previously might not have qualified for benefits under the old definition. The bill modifies eligibility criteria for retirement benefits but does not change benefit amounts or other system mechanics.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1859: Upgrades domestic violence-related assault under certain circumstances.

This bill (S 1859) amends New Jersey's assault statute to upgrade certain assaults to "aggravated assault" when committed against specific professionals. It directly affects individuals like firefighters, school staff (teachers, administrators, bus drivers), healthcare workers, and emergency medical personnel when they are attacked while performing their duties. The key provision adds these groups to the list of protected individuals under aggravated assault, increasing penalties for assaults targeting them. The change applies to attacks occurring during work, whether the attacker recognizes the victim's professional role or not. This is a policy adjustment to strengthen legal protections for public safety and service workers.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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