New Jersey Family Leave Act (“NJFLA”) requirements expand dramatically on July 17, 2026. With the enactment of Assembly Bill A3451, significant job-protection rights for temporary disability and family leave insurance benefits take effect.
Key Changes
- Smaller Employers Covered: The employer threshold drops from 30+ employees to 15+ employees on July 17, 2026 (including out-of-state workers provided at least one employee works in New Jersey). The threshold drops further to 10+ employees in 2027, and 5+ employees in 2028.
- Easier Employee Eligibility: Employees now qualify after just 3 months of employment and 250 hours worked in the preceding 12-month period (down from 12 months/1,000 hours).
- New Reinstatement Rights: Taking paid Family Leave Insurance (FLI) or Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) benefits now includes a statutory right to job restoration, regardless of traditional NJFLA limitations.
Action Items for Employers
- Review Your Headcount: If you have between 15 and 29 employees (nationwide), you are no longer exempt. Employers should immediately prepare to comply.
- Update Employee Handbooks: Revise your leave policies to reflect the 3-month/250-hour eligibility and new job-restoration protections for TDI/FLI.
- Train HR and Managers: Ensure your workforce understands the new leave coordination rules, including the employee’s right to dictate the order of sick leave and state benefits, to reduce the risk of statutory damages and enforcement claims.