New Jersey’s Family Leave Act: Prepare for Expansion in 2026
On January 17, Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill into law ( A3451/S2950 ) that significantly amends the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA). The new rules, which take effect on July 17, 2026, will expand the employers covered under the NJFLA and the employees eligible for job-protected leave. The new law also amends the Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and Family Leave Insurance (FLI) laws to provide job protection for individuals receiving these benefits. Previously, the TDI and FLI laws provided for wage replacement benefits but did not guarantee reinstatement. Current NJFLA Requirements Employer Obligations: Under the current NJFLA, employers with 30 or more employees (including out-of-state employees) must provide eligible employees up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave during a 24-month period for the following reasons: To care for or bond with a child, as long as the leave begins within one year of the child’s birth or placement for adoption or foster care; To care for ...