Expansion of the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) that take effect on July 7, 2026. The law expands eligibility for both employers and employees, extending job-protected family leave requirements to businesses with 15 or more employees, down from the current threshold of 30 employees. The threshold will decrease further to 10 employees in 2027 and five employees in 2028.

The legislation also makes it easier for employees to qualify for leave by reducing the employment requirement from 12 months to three months and lowering the hours-worked requirement from 1,000 hours to 250 hours. Employees remain eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or address certain public health emergencies.

Additionally, the law strengthens reinstatement rights for employees utilizing Family Leave Insurance (FLI) or Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) benefits and allows employees greater flexibility in determining the order in which they use available leave benefits.

CCSNJ opposed A-3451/S-2950 during the legislative process, citing concerns about the operational and staffing impacts the expanded mandate could have on small businesses. The CCSNJ will continue to monitor implementation of the law and keep members informed of any additional guidance or compliance requirements.

For more information, click here.