WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 1894

Concerns training of employees about access to public facilities for individuals with service or guide dogs.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Carol Murphy and 2 co-sponsors

Requires employers with public-facing staff to train employees on service/guide dog rights, use a mandated pamphlet, and maintain signed acknowledgments.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 1894

Purpose of the bill

  • Aimed at ensuring that employees of certain employers receive standardized training about the rights of individuals with service or guide dogs to access places of public accommodation or public facilities.
  • The training must align with applicable State and federal law, including New Jersey laws on discrimination and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Key provisions and changes

  • Training obligation

    • Any employer with one or more employees who serve customers/other individuals in a place of public accommodation or public facility, or who have the ability to grant or deny access, must provide training to those employees.
    • Training must follow the topics outlined in a pamphlet produced by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD) under the bill.
    • Employers may fulfill the requirement by using:
    • Free or low-cost training offered by the Division on Civil Rights (in the Department of Law and Public Safety), the New Jersey State Bar Association, or other entities, or
    • A training program conducted at the employer’s own cost.

  • Pamphlet requirements

    • The DLWD Commissioner must prepare a pamphlet detailing information about the rights of individuals with disabilities to have a guide or service dog in public settings, referencing relevant New Jersey statutes and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
    • The pamphlet must include a concise list of training topics for employees.
    • The pamphlet must be available electronically on the DLWD website.

  • Distribution and acknowledgment

    • Employers must distribute a paper copy of the pamphlet to each employee.
    • Employees must sign and return a form acknowledging receipt and review of the pamphlet.
    • The signed acknowledgment form must be retained by the employer for the duration of employment and for three years after termination.
    • The acknowledgment form must be available to the Commissioner upon request.

  • Administration and enforcement

    • The Division on Civil Rights is designated to administer and enforce the training requirements under the Law Against Discrimination.
    • The DLWD will set minimum training standards and make those standards available upon request.

  • Effective date

    • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • Employers with one or more employees who interact with the public in places of public accommodation or public facilities, or who can grant/deny access.
  • Employees of those employers who provide direct customer service or access decisions.
  • The DLWD, Division on Civil Rights, and the NJ State Bar Association as providers of qualified training.

Timelines and implementation

  • Immediate effect upon enactment.
  • The DLWD must publish the official training pamphlet and minimum standards for training.
  • Employers must begin distributing pamphlets and obtaining signed acknowledgments to comply with the new requirement.

Potential impact

  • Standardizes employer-provided training on rights of individuals using service or guide dogs.
  • Improves awareness and consistency in how employees handle access requests for people with service animals.
  • Creates a formal documentation trail (pamphlet, signed acknowledgment) to support compliance.
  • May reduce incidents of miscommunication or denial of access in public settings by ensuring staff are informed about applicable laws.

Note: The bill references existing state and federal protections for individuals with disabilities, including P.L.1945, c.169 (Law Against Discrimination) and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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

Sign in to ask a question.