Labor & Employment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2731: Confers civil service status on police officers employed by Rutgers University.

S 2731 grants civil service status to police officers employed in Rutgers University's Division of Administration and Public Safety, placing them under New Jersey's civil service system (Title 11A of the statutes). Officers with at least one year of service before the bill's effective date will receive permanent career status and retroactive seniority from their original hire date. The bill takes effect three months after enactment, applying to all current and future officers in this division.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1055: Concerns outreach and training for minorities and women in the construction industry.

S 1055 requires government agencies awarding public construction contracts over $1 million to set aside 0.5% of the contract funds for outreach and training programs. The funds support minority group members and women in construction trades, including apprenticeships, supportive services, and training for management roles. Programs must partner with community groups, labor organizations, and educational institutions to facilitate entry and long-term employment. Annual reports will track program outcomes, including workforce participation and employment results, for public transparency. (Introduced in 2026; focuses on concrete policy changes, not outcomes.)

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2058: Excludes tips from gross income tax.

S 2058 would amend New Jersey's tax code to exclude tips from gross income tax calculations. The bill removes tips from the list of taxable income categories in the state's definition of gross income, meaning tips earned by workers would no longer be subject to state income tax. This change would directly affect individuals who rely on tips for income, such as restaurant servers, bartenders, and hospitality workers. As a result, these workers would have a lower taxable income and potentially pay less in state income tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Labor Standards Minimum Wage

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2593: Prohibits DHS from deeming certain teachers and school employees ineligible for child care subsidies due to number of hours worked when school is not in session for students.

This bill (S 2593) prevents New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) from denying child care subsidies to teachers and school employees based on their work hours during periods when schools are not in session for students (e.g., summer break or holidays). It directly affects eligible teachers and school staff who might otherwise lose subsidies due to reduced hours during non-school weeks. The key provision requires DHS to disregard non-school-week work hours when determining eligibility, while still requiring participants to undergo standard redetermination processes. The bill defines "school year" as the period when schools are actively in session for students.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 244: Establishes three-year pilot program in DOE to support school district programs to increase length of school day or school year.

This bill establishes a three-year, $1 million-per-district grant program through New Jersey's Department of Education to help school districts extend the school day or year. It prioritizes districts with high academic need (based on test scores, graduation rates, and dropout data), selecting up to 20 districts across regional groups. Funds cover costs like staff pay increases (with union agreement), transportation, and support services for extended learning time, requiring detailed applications and annual reports on participation and attendance. The program aims to support learning recovery and academic achievement, with a final evaluation report due after the pilot ends.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1776: Requires State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee include certain first responder titles in first responders primary care medical home program.

This bill requires New Jersey's State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee to include specific first responder job titles in its primary care medical home program. It expands coverage to police, firefighters, emergency medical staff, dispatchers, correctional officers, investigators, and similar personnel (and their dependents) already enrolled in the state health benefits program. The program must provide comprehensive care, including routine check-ups, medications, mental health services, urgent care, and coordination with specialists. This mandate applies whenever the committee creates or modifies such a program for first responders.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care Tags Public Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2172: Prohibits payment of subminimum wage due to age, disability, injury, or status as apprentice, learner, or student through special license issued by DOLWD.

This bill prohibits New Jersey employers from paying subminimum wages to workers based on age, disability, injury, or status as an apprentice, learner, or student. It eliminates the special permit system previously allowing employers to pay below the state minimum wage through the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD). The law directly affects workers with disabilities, students, apprentices, and others who were previously eligible for subminimum wages under these special permits. Employers must now pay all covered workers the full state minimum wage, ending the practice of authorizing lower pay through DOLWD licenses. The bill revises existing statutes to remove provisions that permitted this exception.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 1841: Creates "New Jersey Workplace Skills Savings Program"; appropriates $25 million.

New Jersey's S 1841 creates the "Workplace Skills Savings Program," allowing eligible workers to save for job training. Employees earning wages subject to New Jersey income tax can contribute up to $1,000 annually to a personal account, with the state matching each dollar contributed. Funds can be used for apprenticeships, licensing exams, retraining, or approved job-related education at schools or unions. The program is funded by a $25 million state appropriation from the General Fund, administered by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, with the Department of the Treasury managing the trust. It takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Income Tax State Budget Apprenticeships Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2195: Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for businesses that employ apprentices in DOL registered apprenticeships.

New Jersey's S 2195 provides tax credits to businesses that hire apprentices in U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)-registered programs. Businesses can claim a $1,000 base credit per apprentice per tax period, with an additional $2,000 for veterans, displaced workers, those from underrepresented groups, or individuals previously incarcerated. To qualify, apprentices must be employed for at least seven months during the tax period, and credits cannot exceed four tax periods per apprentice. The bill prohibits using these credits to displace existing workers or undermine collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Apprenticeships Collective Bargaining

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1435: Concerns work break periods and warehouse conditions of employment.

This bill establishes minimum wage standards and regulates working conditions for warehouse employees in New Jersey. It directly affects large warehouse employers (those with 100+ employees at a single facility or 1,000+ across multiple facilities) by defining "fair wage" as one sufficient for basic needs and prohibiting "oppressive wages" tied to unrealistic productivity quotas. Key provisions include requiring employers to pay fair wages, restricting the use of quotas that violate wage standards, and defining "employee work speed data" to prevent misuse of productivity tracking. The law aims to ensure wages reflect the value of work and meet basic living costs, targeting large distribution centers where such practices are common.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

All labor & employment bills