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New Jersey lawmakers have advanced a bill that could potentially extend the state’s Family Leave Act to small businesses with a minimum of five employees. The current law applies to companies with 30 or more employees.
The New Jersey Family Leave Act is a state law that mandates companies to provide their employees with up to 12 weeks of leave within a 24-month period to care for a sick relative or child. This leave is job-protected, employees can return to their previous position after the leave period ends.
The bill, number A5166 was first introduced in February by Assemblywoman Annette Quijano from Union County and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson from Hunterdon and Mercer Counties. It has yet to be heard in the Senate. The bill would gradually introduce the coverage to small business employees over a span of 2 years.
The NJFLA is different from the Federal Family Medical Leave Act which allows employees to take leave fora serious medical condition.
In addition to the NJFLA, New Jersey also has a Family Leave Insurance program that provides New Jersey workers 12 weeks of partially paid monetary benefits to bond with a newborn, adopted, or foster child. This program is funded 100% by employees through payroll deductions.