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Bill

S 1869

Concerns bereavement leave for miscarriage and stillbirth.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Latham Tiver

New Jersey bill establishes bereavement leave for employees experiencing miscarriage or stillbirth, ensuring time off for recovery and grieving.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Labor Committee
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Bill Summary · S 1869

Legislative bill overview

S 1869 would establish bereavement leave protections for employees who experience miscarriage or stillbirth in New Jersey. The bill requires employers to grant paid or unpaid leave to workers dealing with these losses, addressing a gap in current employment law that typically only covers death of immediate family members.

Why is this important

Miscarriage and stillbirth are common medical and emotional experiences—roughly 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage—yet most employees have no legal right to time off for recovery or grieving. This bill recognizes these losses as significant life events warranting workplace accommodation, similar to bereavement leave for other deaths, potentially reducing financial hardship during vulnerable periods.

Potential points of contention

  • Defining eligibility: Questions about whether leave applies equally to all employees (including surrogates, non-gestational partners) or only pregnant individuals, and at what stage of pregnancy
  • Paid vs. unpaid status: Whether leave must be compensated could significantly affect employer costs and employee financial protection during loss
  • Employer burden: Small businesses may raise concerns about operational disruption and costs; larger employers may have fewer concerns but could lobby against mandate scope
  • Medical documentation: Whether employers can require proof of loss (medical records) and privacy implications

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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