Labor & Employment in New Jersey

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 1849: Requires PFRS enrollment to be retroactive to first date of employment for death benefit eligibility.

This bill (S 1849) changes death benefit eligibility for police and fire department employees in New Jersey. It requires the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) to treat employees who died before enrolling in the system as if they were enrolled from their first day of employment. This means surviving spouses, children, or parents of such employees can now receive death benefits they previously would not have qualified for. The change applies retroactively to deaths occurring before the bill's enactment, with beneficiaries having up to 12 months after the bill takes effect to apply for these benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1502: Increases PFRS accidental disability pension when disability is caused by weapon.

This bill increases pension benefits for New Jersey police and firefighters (members of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System) who become permanently disabled while on duty due to weapon-related injuries. It modifies the pension calculation so that affected members receive 100% of their final annual salary instead of the standard two-thirds, providing a significantly higher benefit. The change applies specifically to disabilities caused by weapons, as defined under New Jersey law, and does not alter other disability pension rules. This adjustment aims to better compensate first responders injured in line-of-duty incidents involving weapons.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 1583: Provides access to periodic cancer screening examinations for volunteer firefighters through SHBP physicians and other providers.

New Jersey's S 1583 requires free cancer screenings every three years for volunteer firefighters through the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) network. The screenings cover 11 specific cancers (including colon, lung, prostate, and breast) with no out-of-pocket costs for firefighters. Physicians providing these screenings can be reimbursed up to $1,250 per three-year period by the state, and fire districts must maintain records to facilitate payment. This extends an existing benefit for paid firefighters to volunteer firefighters, who previously did not have guaranteed access to such screenings.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1622: Provides tax credits for hiring certain military spouses.

S 1622 creates a tax credit program for New Jersey employers who hire military spouses who are nonresidents of the state but live in New Jersey due to their spouse's military service (such as being transferred here, legally domiciled here, or moving on a permanent change-of-station). Employers receive a credit equal to 15% of wages for military spouses working 120-400 hours per year or 25% for 400+ hours, capped at $2,400 per employee annually. The credit reduces corporation business tax or gross income tax and requires employers to apply through the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. The bill directly supports military spouses facing employment disruptions from frequent military relocations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 74: Permits any member of PERS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations.

S 74 (New Jersey Senate Bill) allows members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) who developed disabilities from participating in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations to qualify for accidental disability retirement. It specifically applies to PERS members who worked at the World Trade Center site for at least eight hours between September 11-12, 2001, or who sustained a documented injury preventing further participation. The bill creates a legal presumption that such disabilities were work-related, shifting the burden of proof from the member to the employer if disputed. This eliminates the need to prove the disability resulted from "willful negligence" for qualifying cases. The policy directly affects New Jersey public safety and emergency workers who responded to the 9/11 site.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1470: Increases PFRS accidental disability and accidental death pension when disability or death is caused by weapon.

This bill increases pension benefits for New Jersey police and firefighters (members of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System) who suffer accidental disability or death caused by a weapon while on duty. Specifically, it raises the accidental disability pension from 66% to 100% of the member’s annual compensation at the time of injury, and adjusts the death benefit calculation for weapon-related deaths. The change applies only when the injury or death results directly from a weapon (as defined in state law), not other types of accidents. This amendment modifies existing pension formulas without changing eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 208: Requires DCA to establish standards for prisoner reentry transitional housing.

This bill (S 208) requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Community Affairs (with input from Corrections) to create specific standards for publicly-funded transitional housing programs helping formerly incarcerated people reenter communities. The standards mandate safety measures, emergency and long-term housing options, and comprehensive support services - including substance abuse treatment, job training, medical care, and assistance securing permanent housing. It directly affects returning residents in transitional housing programs by setting minimum quality requirements for their care and housing. The bill, introduced in January 2026 and referred to committee, would establish these rules immediately upon enactment.

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

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Substance Abuse Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 272: Requires State agencies to submit notice of request for proposals or other documents pertinent to privatization contracts to certain State employees.

This bill requires New Jersey state agencies to notify employees who are likely to lose their jobs due to privatization at least 180 days before releasing requests for proposals or contracts for services or assets valued at $100,000 or more annually. The notice must detail the affected service or asset, include relevant documents, and inform employees they can submit a two-year business plan to take over the service themselves. Agencies must review these employee plans within 60 days, allowing up to 30 days for revisions if rejected. The law directly affects state employees at risk of termination from privatized services and creates a structured process for employee-led operational transitions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2699: Requires standards for organization and deployment of career fire fighters to be consistent with certain national standards.

This bill requires New Jersey municipalities with career fire departments to deploy personnel for fire suppression and rescue operations in line with NFPA 1710 (2020 edition), a nationally recognized safety standard. It mandates the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create implementing rules and directs municipal governing bodies or fire commissioners to ensure compliance. The policy directly affects paid or part-paid fire departments that respond to at least 50% of initial full-alarm assignments. It aims to standardize safety practices for career firefighters, preventing local relaxation of requirements due to budget or political considerations. The law takes immediate effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

All labor & employment bills