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Bill > S1070


NJ S1070

NJ S1070
Concerns temporary disability insurance and family leave insurance benefits.


summary

Introduced
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill: 1. Extends TDI and FLI benefits to employees providing care for family members needed because of a public health emergency or state of emergency, including, if federal funds are available, the closure of a school or place of care. 2. Extends FLI benefits to care needed because of certain exigencies arising out of active military service. 3. Sets requirements regarding employer notification to employees of their rights, including their right to unemployment benefits after leave if an employee is not restored to employment after leave because of a reduction in force occurring during the leave. 4. Provides that an employee who is eligible for both earned sick leave and either TDI or FLI benefits, may use either the earned sick leave or whichever is applicable of the TDI or FLI benefits, and may select the order in which they are taken, but may not receive more than one kind of paid leave benefits during any period of time. 5. Extends TDI or FLI benefits to an employee regardless of the amount of time an employee has worked or the amount of the employees earnings, so long as the employee earns at least $1,000 during the employee's base year. 6. Provides that the weekly benefit rates for TDI or FLI benefits taken during a period of unemployment are set at the rates for TDI or FLI benefits, instead of the rates for unemployment compensation. 7. Provides the option to self-employed individuals of obtaining coverage for TDI and FLI benefits if they make contributions to the TDI fund which are the equivalent to the contributions made by employers and employees. 8. Eliminates the seven-day waiting period for TDI benefits. 9. Provides the right to reinstatement to equivalent employment after a period of leave applies to all periods in which TDI or FLI benefits are provided, including extending that right to FLI leave takers employed by employers with less than 30 employees, as is presently the case for TDI leave takers. 10. Requires, when employees take leave with TDI or FLI benefits, that employers maintain health insurance coverage during the leave period on the same terms as when the employees are working. 11. Provides that an employee's statement that the employee or member of the employee's family is a victim of domestic or sexual violence is sufficient documentation in a claim for benefits.

AI Summary

This bill expands temporary disability insurance (TDI) and family leave insurance (FLI) benefits in several ways, including extending benefits to employees caring for family members during public health emergencies or state of emergencies, and for certain military family needs. It also requires employers to notify employees of their rights, including unemployment benefits if they are not restored to their jobs after leave due to a reduction in force. The bill allows employees to choose between using earned sick leave or TDI/FLI benefits, but not both simultaneously, and clarifies that employees need only earn $1,000 in their base year to be eligible for TDI or FLI, regardless of how long they've worked. Weekly benefit rates for TDI/FLI taken during unemployment will now align with TDI/FLI rates, not unemployment compensation rates. Self-employed individuals will have the option to obtain TDI and FLI coverage by contributing to the TDI fund. The seven-day waiting period for TDI benefits is eliminated, and the right to be restored to equivalent employment after leave is extended to all TDI/FLI leave takers, including those employed by smaller businesses. Employers must maintain health insurance coverage for employees on leave under the same terms as when they are working. Finally, an employee's statement that they or a family member are victims of domestic or sexual violence will be sufficient documentation for a benefits claim.

Committee Categories

Labor and Employment

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Labor Committee (on 01/09/2024)

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