Labor & Employment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1520: Requires payment of minimum wage to minors; requires payment of overtime to minors in certain circumstances; codifies certain exemptions to overtime payment requirements.

This bill requires employers to pay minors (under age 18) the state minimum wage and overtime pay (1.5x regular rate) for hours worked beyond 40 in a week, directly affecting minor workers in most non-exempt jobs. It establishes a minimum wage schedule that increases annually (with specific rates for 2019-2028) and formalizes existing exemptions to overtime requirements, such as for farm labor, certain seasonal work, and employees in executive roles. Key provisions include mandatory overtime pay for minors (except in exempted categories like agricultural work or specific professional roles) and maintaining minimum wage rates for small employers and seasonal workers. The bill does not change overtime exemptions for adult workers but explicitly extends overtime protections to minors in covered positions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2962: Provides seniority service credit to educational support professionals for military service.

This New Jersey bill (S 2962) gives educational support professionals (like cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and administrative staff) who served in the U.S. military and qualify for VA benefits up to four years of seniority credit. The credit counts military service completed before or during their school district employment, treating it as equivalent to actual work time for seniority purposes. It expands an existing benefit currently only available to teaching staff. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2845: Increases pay for direct support professionals; makes appropriation.

This bill creates a state-funded program to help employers increase wages for direct support professionals (DSPs) who assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Department of Human Services will distribute funds from the General Fund to employers, requiring them to use the money solely to raise DSP pay for existing or new staff. Employers must apply through a process established by the department, with guidelines for compliance. The program takes effect immediately but ends once all allocated funds are distributed. This directly affects employers of DSPs across New Jersey, aiming to address staffing shortages by enabling wage increases.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1430: Requires DOT to implement highway safety program for increased commercial motor vehicle parking; appropriates up to $50,000,000.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation to create safe parking zones along federal highways specifically for commercial motor vehicles and their drivers. It allocates up to $50 million from federal infrastructure funds (under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) to cover eligible costs for establishing these zones. The DOT must report annually to the Governor and Legislature on program progress, including locations created, safety impacts, and funds spent, until the money is fully used. The policy directly affects truck drivers and commercial vehicle operators by improving roadside parking safety.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Freight Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2585: Provides service credit for PERS member for former membership in transit retirement program.

This bill allows members of New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) who were previously in the Transit Employees' Retirement Program (TERP) before July 30, 2006, to count their TERP service toward PERS retirement benefits. Specifically, it provides one year of PERS service credit for every 3.5 years of service credited in TERP, provided all member and employer contributions (with interest) are transferred to PERS. The service credit applies only if the TERP funds are fully transferred and the member does not already have vested retirement benefits in TERP. This change ensures transit workers who moved to PERS after TERP's transition receive full credit for their prior service without needing additional contributions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2393: Requires urgent care and retail health clinics to have defibrillator on site and employees trained to use defibrillator.

S 2393 requires New Jersey urgent care clinics and retail health clinics (like those in pharmacies or stores) to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on-site and train staff in its use. Clinics must acquire at least one AED stored centrally, maintain it, notify emergency services of its location, and ensure all employees receive CPR and AED training. At least one trained employee must be present during business hours. The bill takes effect immediately but gives clinics one year to comply. This bill is currently pending in the Senate Health Committee.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1037: Makes supplemental appropriation of $1,000,000 to Division of Civil Rights.

This bill (S 1037) adds $1,000,000 in supplemental funding to the Division of Civil Rights within New Jersey’s Department of Law and Public Safety for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The funding directly supports the Division’s work enforcing state anti-discrimination laws - including protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations - under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. The provision is a budgetary measure, not a policy change, and will help the agency address civil rights complaints and conduct investigations. This appropriation applies to the Division’s existing enforcement responsibilities, with no new legal requirements or eligibility changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1830: "New Jersey Workforce Housing Partnership Act"; incentivizes homebuyer assistance to certain employees, provides tax credits for development of certain workforce housing, and provides certain assistance and affordability protections for middle-income residents; appropriates $55 million.

The New Jersey Workforce Housing Partnership Act (S 1830) creates a state program to help middle-income workers - like teachers, first responders, and healthcare professionals - afford homes by incentivizing employers to provide homebuyer assistance. It provides $55 million for a Workforce Housing Assistance Program that matches employer down payment help and offers low-interest mortgages, while giving tax credits to businesses that develop affordable housing for employees. The bill also includes affordability protections ensuring housing remains accessible to residents earning up to 120% of the area median income and encourages municipalities to repurpose vacant commercial spaces into workforce housing through zoning flexibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 718: Provides corporation business and gross income tax credits for employment of community health workers.

This bill provides New Jersey corporations with a tax credit equal to 15% of wages paid to qualified community health workers (up to $2,500 per worker) for both corporation business tax and gross income tax. To qualify, employers must apply to the Commissioner of Health for certification that an employee meets specific criteria: working at least 10 hours weekly, completing a state-approved training program, and not being an independent contractor. The credit is limited to 50% of tax liability per year and may be carried forward if unused. It directly affects New Jersey businesses hiring community health workers - professionals who connect underserved communities to healthcare resources and educate providers about access barriers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Gig Economy Professional Licensing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1460: Requires public service employer to certify employment of qualifying employees under federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program; requires Secretary of Higher Education to develop materials to promote Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

This New Jersey bill requires public service employers (such as state/local governments, schools, libraries, and non-profits) to certify qualifying employees' employment for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. It mandates employers to complete necessary forms for employees, including a specific adjustment for educators (3.35 hours worked per lecture hour), and to provide annual materials about the program. The Secretary of Higher Education must develop and distribute clear resources - like fact sheets and FAQs - to help employees understand and access the federal loan forgiveness program. These requirements apply to all public service employers and directly affect employees seeking to reduce student loan debt through the federal program.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

All labor & employment bills