Bill

Bill > S882


NJ S882

NJ S882
Establishes program in DOLWD to address jobs lost due to automation.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill will dedicate workforce development funds for a New Jersey Automation Job Loss Prevention Program in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The program will be designed by the department in consultation with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The program will fund job training and career development programs, administered by the department, which focus on connecting employers located throughout the State with workers whose jobs have been lost or are endangered by automation as identified pursuant to the bill. The job training and career development programs will be hosted by employers at any place of business located in this State or at an institution of higher education located in this State and shall focus on career development as well as any specialized training that prepares at risk employees or those who have lost jobs for immediate employment with a host employer upon completion of a job training and career development program. The programs funded by the bill will provide employers the ability to train workers at no cost to the employer. The job training and career development programs funded pursuant to the bill are to connect participants with, and provide at least partial funding for, wrap around services to encourage participation in the programs. The wrap around services include, but are not limited to, transportation, child care, mental health services, and training on personal finance. The bill requires the department to identify jobs that have been or are in danger of being lost due to an increase in automation inthat industry, and provide that information to the program. The bill also requires the department to conduct an evaluation of the program five years after approval of the first job training and career development program to determine the effectiveness of the program overall.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a New Jersey Automation Job Loss Prevention Program within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to address job displacement caused by automation. The program, developed in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, will be funded by a dedicated portion of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund, a state fund used for job training and employment services. Its primary purpose is to finance job training and career development programs that connect employers with workers who have lost or are at risk of losing their jobs due to automation. These training programs can be hosted by employers or institutions of higher education in New Jersey and will focus on preparing individuals for immediate employment with host employers. Crucially, these programs will be provided at no cost to employers. The bill also mandates that the DOLWD identify industries and specific jobs threatened by automation and provide this information to the program. To ensure its effectiveness, the DOLWD will conduct an evaluation of the program five years after its inception. Additionally, the program will offer participants "wrap around services," such as assistance with transportation, childcare, mental health, and personal finance, to encourage participation.

Committee Categories

Labor and Employment

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Labor Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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