Labor & Employment (Unemployment) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 26, 2026

S 4526: Eliminates certain requirements for employers following separations from employment.

This bill modifies New Jersey unemployment compensation rules to reduce certain reporting obligations for employers when employees separate from their jobs. The primary change involves removing the requirement for employers to immediately and simultaneously transmit specific separation data to the state division via electronic means. Additionally, the legislation eliminates provisions that would have mandated employers to provide email addresses for future communications and allowed the division to notify employers of missing information within seven days. These adjustments aim to simplify the administrative process for businesses while maintaining the core framework for unemployment benefit claims.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4381: Exempts election worker compensation from taxation.

This bill proposes to exempt compensation paid to election workers from state taxation in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals who work during elections and the employers who pay their wages. The key provision amends existing unemployment compensation laws to remove tax liability for these specific workers. This change aims to provide financial relief to those involved in election duties without altering other parts of the state's tax code.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 3948: Concerns UI employer contribution reports.

This New Jersey bill requires employers to submit more detailed quarterly reports to the state controller starting in 2027, including employee names, Social Security numbers, job titles, addresses, and specific wage breakdowns for hours worked versus paid time off. The legislation amends existing unemployment insurance reporting laws to increase data collection for determining benefit eligibility while maintaining the same filing deadlines and extension rules as current regulations. Employers who fail to file these reports accurately or on time face escalating penalties per employee, ranging from $50 to $250 depending on the frequency of non-compliance within an eight-quarter period. The bill also updates penalty amounts for late filings and requires the controller to report annually on any penalties that were waived due to non-fraudulent errors.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 4771: Creates "Unemployment Intake Accountability Pilot Program."

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to study how recording customer service calls to the Division of Unemployment Insurance can improve the timely delivery of benefits. Under the program, a representative sample of intake calls will be recorded and analyzed to measure resolution rates, response times, and any relationship between call duration and benefit amounts. The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development will submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature based on survey results, and the program will expire after the third report is submitted.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2981: Permits layoff plans as substitute for employment reconciliation plans for joint meetings or shared service agreements under certain circumstances.

This bill allows local governments in New Jersey to use a "layoff plan" instead of a full "employment reconciliation plan" when transitioning employees between municipalities under shared service agreements or joint meetings. It requires layoff plans to include minimum protections: terminal leave payments (one month per five years of service for terminated employees) and placement on a special reemployment list for future civil service jobs. The bill directly affects civil service employees in local governments entering shared service arrangements and the Civil Service Commission, which must review plans within 45 days. These changes streamline transitions while ensuring basic worker protections during service-sharing agreements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees Unemployment Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3599: Allocates $200 million to Department of Labor and Workforce Development to improve unemployment insurance infrastructure technology.

This bill allocates $200 million from available federal pandemic assistance (or state funds if federal money is unavailable) to New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The funds specifically target technology upgrades for the Division of Unemployment Insurance to improve the state's unemployment benefits system, which faced significant strain during the pandemic. The department must submit an implementation plan to the Legislature within 60 days of the bill's effective date. This directly affects unemployed residents by aiming to make unemployment benefit claims and payments more efficient and reliable.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3616: Provides corporation business tax credits and gross income tax credits to small business employers and farm employers for increases in certain mandatory employer contributions.

This bill provides tax credits to small business employers (under 25 employees and $1 million annual revenue) and farm employers in New Jersey for increased costs of mandatory insurance. Specifically, it credits businesses for the difference between their current-year expenses on workers' compensation, temporary disability, and unemployment insurance versus what they paid in the prior year. The credit is capped at $12,000 annually per business and applies to both corporation business tax and gross income tax filings. The program runs from 2020 through 2029, helping qualifying small employers offset rising insurance costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Unemployment Workers' Compensation Tags Small Business

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1561: Concerns eligibility for unemployment benefits for certain seasonal workers.

This bill modifies New Jersey's unemployment benefits eligibility rules to better support seasonal workers. It specifically adds that individuals taking unpaid vacations between seasonal jobs - where the break isn't self-initiated (e.g., after a seasonal role ends) - cannot be denied benefits for that week. The change prevents unemployment claims from being rejected solely due to these standard seasonal work gaps. This directly affects workers in seasonal industries like tourism, agriculture, or retail who transition between temporary roles.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 3564: Establishes "New Jersey Private Contractor Registration Act."

This bill requires private contractors performing construction work in New Jersey (excluding public work or home improvement projects) to register with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development before starting work. It mandates registration with specific details including business information, licenses, and disclosures about labor law violations. The registration process includes providing tax IDs, unemployment insurance numbers, and documentation showing compliance with state business requirements. Contractors already registered for public works projects are exempt from these new requirements. The bill directly affects businesses engaged in private construction work who must register to legally operate in the state.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1184: Revises test for employment or independent contractor status under certain State labor laws.

This bill (A 1184) is formally titled about revising employment status tests but actually amends definitions in New Jersey's unemployment benefits law (R.S.43:21-19). It revises terms like "annual payroll," "base year," and "benefit year" to clarify how unemployment benefits are calculated, including rules for alternative base years when wage data is unavailable. The changes affect individuals filing for unemployment benefits and employers reporting wages, specifically impacting how eligibility and benefit amounts are determined under existing state law. The bill does not alter the test for classifying workers as employees versus independent contractors, despite its title.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Unemployment

All labor & employment bills