Workers' Compensation

On January 17, 2026, Governor Murphy signed S2950/A3451 into law. This bill was initially introduced on February 1, 2024, and passed by the assembly on February 12, 2024. The senate received it on the same day and it ultimately passed both houses on January 12, 2026. This bill revised the law concerning family leave, to extend protection by reducing the employee threshold from 30 employees to 15 employees in the definition of employer.

Originally, the New Jersey Family Leave Act allowed those working for employers with more than 30 employees the right to be reinstated to employment after taking paid or unpaid family leave. Thus, ensuring that all workers who pay for family temporary disability leave insurance (FLI) will be able to able to return to work after taking FLI benefits. With this bill, it will now apply to employers with 15 or more employees as of July 17, 2026. Further, employees will qualify after working just three months and at least 250 hours in the preceding three months.

There is also a phasing system in place, in which the employer-size threshold decreases to ten employees in 2027 and five employees in 2028. Once fully phased in, those working for employers with five or more employees will provide that an employee who takes FLI benefits may not be retaliated against by their employer for refusing to reinstate them after the leave.

While there is no specific impact on workers’ compensation, this bill is significant as it now affects very small businesses, including those with only five employees. The smaller employers will now need to update leave and PTO policies and procedures, revise employee handbooks, implement new notice and documentation requirements, and train HR staff and managers.

There have been no new NJ workers’ compensation related cases. However, a few more bills introduced for the 2026-27 session. Any updates from the prior month has been highlighted in bold.

A1023              Medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances

This requires workers’ compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.

 

A1045              Certain injuries to volunteer and professional public safety and law enforcement personnel

This revises workers’ compensation coverage for certain injuries to volunteer and professional public safety and law enforcement personnel. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.

 

A3724              Personal liability to employer officers for failure to pay for coverage

This provides personal liability for an owner, executive officer, or executive director of employer for failure to pay for workers' compensation coverage. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.

S241                Inclusion in database of appointed officials

This requires that workers’ compensation judges and administrative law judges be included in the database of appointed officials. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, to the Senate, referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.

A1870 | S1379            Workers' compensation benefits for certain workers due to September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks

This provides workers’ compensation benefits for certain public safety workers who developed illness or injury as result of responding to September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It was introduced on January 13, 2026 and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee. It was also introduced on the same day and referred to the Senate Labor Committee. On February 5, 2026, it was reported from the Senate Committee, 2^nd Reading, and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

A2779 | S1521            Excludes Certain Illegal Aliens

This excludes certain illegal aliens from workers’ compensation and temporary disability benefits. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Senate Labor Committee. It was also introduced on the same day and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.

A2792 | S1555            Prevent Intoxicated Employees from Workers’ Compensation

This prevents intoxicated employees from receiving workers’ compensation. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Senate Labor Committee. It was also introduced on the same day and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.

S2290              Increase Mandatory Retirement Age

This increases statutory mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court Justices, Superior Court Judges, Tax Court Judges, Administrative Law Judges, and Workers’ Compensation Judges from 70 to 72. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

A3167 | S2372            Workers’ compensation insurance requirements for certain corporations and partnerships.

This concerns workers’ compensation insurance requirements for certain corporations and partnerships. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Senate Labor Committee. It was also introduced on the same day and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.

A1384 | S2757            Reduce Statute of Limitations in Medical Fee Disputes

This reduces statute of limitations from six years to two years in medical fee disputes in workers’ compensation matters. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Senate Labor Committee. It was also introduced on the same day and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.

S3144              Testimony in Workers’ Compensation

This concerns submission of testimony in workers’ compensation claims. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Senate Labor Committee.

A3548 | S3571            Maximum benefits for certain volunteers

This provides certain volunteer and other workers with maximum compensation benefit for workers' compensation claim regardless of outside employment. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Senate Labor Committee. It was also introduced on the same day and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.