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Bill > A1463
NJ A1463
NJ A1463Requires State employees work in person if job requires face-to-face interaction with public; requires State agency provide alternatives if closure is unpreventable.
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 requires a State employee to work in person if the duties and responsibilities of the State employee require face-to-face interaction with the public. Under this bill, in-person work for those State employees required to work in person would commence on the 30th business day following the enactment of the bill. The head of the State agency, in consultation with the head of human resources or the head of personnel at the State agency, is also required to publish on the website of that State agency a reopening plan not later than the 15th business day following the enactment of the bill that details the procedures and policies related to having those impacted State employees return to in-person work for the duration of the public health emergency and state of emergency declared on March 9, 2020 by the Governor, pursuant to Executive Order No. 103 of 2020, and as extended. The reopening plans must include, but need not be limited to, the following: (1) the personal protective equipment that will be provided by the State agency, the additional cleaning protocols to be implemented, and the efforts to ensure social distancing at the State agency; (2) the actions the State agency will take to protect State employees who are required to work in locations outside of the State agency office building for activities such as audits and inspections; (3) the requirements that members of the public must meet in order to enter the State agency office building; and (4) a description of the proper contingencies for State employees who have a high risk of contracting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The bill provides that if the head of the State agency determines that a temporary closure of a State agency office building is necessary, the head of the State agency must provide the public with reasonable alternatives consistent with any federal and State laws. Reasonable alternatives may include electronic or technological platforms, including platforms that offer interactive, real-time, two-way audio or video capabilities, or the use of a mobile unit at or nearby the State agency office building. Under this bill, the head of the State agency is also required to report to the Governor and the Legislature not later than 60 business days on the measures taken to implement the provisions in the bill.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that State employees whose job duties require direct, in-person interaction with the public must return to working in person within 30 business days of the bill's enactment, unless a State agency office building must temporarily close. In such closure scenarios, the agency head must provide the public with reasonable alternatives, such as online platforms with real-time audio/video capabilities or mobile units. Before employees return to in-person work, State agencies must publish a reopening plan on their websites within 15 business days, detailing measures like providing personal protective equipment (PPE), enhanced cleaning, social distancing efforts, protections for employees working off-site, public entry requirements, and contingencies for high-risk employees. The bill defines "State agency" broadly to include various government branches and entities, and "State employee" as anyone employed by a State agency. Agency heads are also required to report to the Governor and Legislature within 60 business days on their implementation efforts. This legislation is intended to be in effect for the duration of the declared public health and state of emergency related to COVID-19.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government 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/A1463 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1500/1463_I1.HTM |
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