Bill
Bill > A1044
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill revises certain penalties for violations of the "New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law," P.L.1966, c.113 (C.34:11-56a et seq.). The bill provides that an employer who violates any provision of that law is, upon conviction of a first or second violation, guilty of a disorderly persons offense, and, upon conviction of a third or subsequent offense, guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. Current law states that for a first violation an employer is guilty of a disorderly persons offense and may be punished by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not less than 10 and not more than 90 days or by both the fine and imprisonment. The bill increases the applicable fines for a first violation to not less than $500 and maintains the maximum fine of not more than $1,000. Current law also states that for a second or subsequent violation an employer is guilty of a disorderly persons offense and may be punished by a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not less than 10 and more than 100 days or by both the fine and imprisonment. The bill increases the applicable fines for a second violation to not less than $1,000 and not more than $2,000. Finally, the bill provides that a third or subsequent violation constitutes a crime of the fourth degree, punishable by a fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for up to 18 months or by both the fine and imprisonment.
AI Summary
This bill increases penalties for employers who violate the "New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law," which governs minimum wage and overtime pay. For a first violation, the minimum fine will rise from $100 to $500, while the maximum fine remains $1,000. A second violation will now carry a fine of at least $1,000 and up to $2,000, an increase from the previous $500 to $1,000 range. Crucially, a third or subsequent violation will be classified as a crime of the fourth degree, carrying potential fines of $2,000 to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to 18 months, whereas previously all subsequent violations were considered disorderly persons offenses with lesser penalties. The bill also clarifies that the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development can assess administrative penalties for violations, with specific limits for first and subsequent offenses, and outlines a process for notification, hearings, and appeals for these administrative penalties.
Committee Categories
Labor and Employment
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1044 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1500/1044_I1.HTM |
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