We have made it through six months of the current Legislative session and here is where things stand on employment and labor bills that the Legislature as acted on this year:
Sick Leave – Following an aggressive campaign by NJBIA’s paid sick leave coalition and other stakeholders, the Senate has cancelled several scheduled votes on S799 and instead has made amendments to address some our concerns. As amended, the bill will impact businesses with 10 or more employees by requiring them to provide nine paid sick days every year. Employees could carry-over unused leave from one year to the next. Employers would still be subject to additional recordkeeping, notice requirements, and potential lawsuits. The Assembly bills A-1446/A-2750 have not seen any movement.
Minimum Wage – A15/S15 has passed both houses and is on the Governor’s desk for consideration. The Governor has 45 days (from June 23rd) to act on the bill or if the Assembly is not in session on the 45th day the Governor will have until the first Assembly session thereafter to act.
The bill raises the minimum wage to $10.10 on January 1, 2017 and then increases annually between 2018 and 2021 by $1.25 or $1.00 + CPI whichever is greater.
Here is NJBIA’s testimony.
Wage Theft – S1396/A-862 Assemblywoman Quijano and Senator Weinberg have both agreed to hold their bills so that a compromise can be discussed. A meeting may be held in July and the bill is expected to be considered again in the fall.
Here is NJBIA’s testimony.
Building Service Employees – NJBIA joined a coalition in opposition to A3907 that would require certain successor contractors or building owners retain the prior business’s employees for a 90 day period. The bill has passed full Assembly but does not have a Senate sponsor. The Governor has indicated that he is not supportive of the legislation.
Here is the Coalition’s opposition letter.
Flexible Scheduling – A1117 would require affected employers to prove that there is a “bona fide business reason” for denying certain schedule change request, or face financial and legal penalties. NJBIA opposed the legislation in committee. The bill was voted out of committee and awaits consideration by the full Assembly. The Senate has not taking acted on their bill S1397.
Here is NJBIA’s testimony.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
