Labor & Employment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2669: Requires restaurant employees to receive periodic sexual harassment training.

This bill requires restaurants employing 15 or more people to provide periodic sexual harassment training to all employees, including owners working as staff. Training must cover industry-specific topics, include separate sessions for supervisors and staff, be interactive with practical examples, and explain how to file complaints - offered in English and Spanish. Restaurants must also adopt a written sexual harassment policy included in employee handbooks. Failure to comply results in fines up to $500 for the first violation and $1,000 for subsequent offenses. Documentation of training is required, with failure to provide it creating a rebuttable presumption that training was not completed.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Labor Standards

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2842: Increases regulation of State veterans' memorial homes.

This bill (S 2842) increases oversight of New Jersey's three State veterans' memorial homes (Menlo Park, Vineland, and Paramus). It requires each home to create infection control plans, provide staff training on hand hygiene and protective equipment (like gloves and masks), undergo annual financial audits, and face unannounced inspections. Administrators must have clinical experience in long-term care. The bill directly affects residents and staff at these facilities by mandating specific safety and operational standards.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 1059: Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses paying a salary differential to National Guard members or reservists on active duty.

This bill creates tax credits for New Jersey businesses that pay a salary differential to employees serving in the National Guard or reserve forces during active duty. Specifically, businesses can claim a credit equal to the amount they pay to make up the difference between an employee's regular salary and their military pay during active duty. The credit applies to both corporation business tax and gross income tax, but cannot exceed 50% of the business's tax liability for that period. It directly affects New Jersey employers with qualifying National Guard or reserve members who receive military orders for active duty.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax National Guard & Reserve

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1897: Requires MVC to waive knowledge test requirement for certain military service members who apply for commercial driver license.

This bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to waive the knowledge test for military service members applying for commercial driver licenses (CDLs) who operated commercial vehicles during their service. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of military service, a military CDL, and meet federal safety standards under 49 C.F.R. §383.77. The waiver does not apply to applicants seeking licenses for school buses, hazardous materials transport, or other specific vehicle types excluded under current law. It aligns with federal regulations allowing states to waive testing for qualified veterans while maintaining compliance with national safety requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1667: Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits to businesses employing and retaining certain neurodiverse individuals.

This New Jersey bill (S 1667) provides tax credits to businesses that hire and retain neurodiverse employees in qualifying STEM/AI roles. Businesses receive credits of $7,000-$9,000 per full-time employee (increasing with consecutive years of employment) or $4,500 for part-time employees, subject to a $10 million annual cap. To qualify, employees must work in approved STEM/AI fields at minimum wage and be certified as neurodiverse under state guidelines. The credits reduce corporate business tax liability, with unused credits potentially carried forward for up to seven years.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Minimum Wage Artificial Intelligence

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 850: "Public-Private Alliance to Retain Talent and Expand Regional Health Program Act"; creates grant program within DOH for student-loan and tuition relief and appropriates $5 million.

S 850 establishes a $5 million grant program within New Jersey's Department of Health to help health care professional students repay loans or tuition. The program provides grants to qualified recruitment servicers who partner with hospitals and educational institutions, requiring hospitals to match grant funds at 200% and students to commit to three years of work at partner hospitals. It directly affects health care students (capping assistance at $10,000 yearly or $30,000 total), hospitals providing employment, and recruitment servicers managing the program. The bill specifies eligibility, application requirements, and administrative details for distributing funds to support health care workforce retention.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2402: Extends military leave of absence for public officers and employees to those serving on federal active duty in US Coast Guard Reserve.

This bill extends New Jersey's existing military leave policy to include members of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. Currently, public employees (state, county, school district, or municipal staff) serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps Reserves receive up to 30 paid workdays annually for federal active duty. The bill amends state law to add "Coast Guard Reserve" to the list of qualifying military branches, ensuring Coast Guard Reserve members receive the same benefit. It does not change the 30-day limit or payment terms already applied to other reserve branches.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1260: Requires health insurance coverage of postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy.

This bill requires most health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover pelvic floor physical therapy during the postpartum period (defined as one year after childbirth). It applies to hospital service contracts, medical service contracts, health service contracts, individual and group health insurance policies, health benefits plans, and state-purchased health plans. The coverage must be provided at the same level as for other medical conditions, without additional restrictions. This directly affects all health insurance providers operating in New Jersey and New Jersey residents seeking postpartum pelvic floor therapy.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2320: Establishes Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program.

S 2320 establishes the Jersey Strong Public Service Scholarship Program, providing financial aid to New Jersey residents working in public service fields facing critical workforce shortages (such as healthcare, education, or emergency services). Eligible students must work full-time in these sectors for 1-2 years before receiving scholarships covering tuition and fees up to $25,000 for two years or $50,000 for four years at public New Jersey colleges. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents, U.S. citizens, recent high school graduates, and employed in approved roles at minimum wage or higher. The program requires students to apply for other aid first and maintain academic progress, with scholarships terminating if they withdraw without approved reasons.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid Minimum Wage

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1566: Establishes "Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program" in DCA to support operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies; appropriates $10 million.

S 1566 creates a $10 million grant program to support volunteer fire companies in New Jersey by funding operational costs and emergency equipment like protective gear, tools, and training. The program, managed by the Division of Fire Safety, requires volunteer fire companies to apply with detailed plans for fund use and report on expenditures and impact within one year. The bill appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to the new "Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program Fund," which will distribute grants annually to maximize participation across the state. This directly affects community-based volunteer fire departments seeking financial assistance for sustainability.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics State Budget

All labor & employment bills