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MD

Bill

A 3074

Establishes Inclusive Workplaces Program in EDA to provide grants and tax credits to encourage employer investment in workspaces inclusive of neurodivergent employees; appropriates $2.5 million.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Mitchelle Drulis and 3 co-sponsors

The bill creates the Inclusive Workplaces Program offering grants to small NJ firms and tax credits for large NJ firms to fund neurodiversity-friendly workplace investments.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 3074

Overview

A 3074 (Session 222, New Jersey) establishes the Inclusive Workplaces Program within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA). The program provides grants to small-business employers and tax credits to large-business employers to encourage investments in neurodiversity-friendly work environments. The bill appropriates $2.5 million for grants and $2.5 million for tax credits annually, to be drawn from the General Fund.

Main purpose and intent

  • To promote workplace inclusivity for neurodivergent employees by supporting capital and workforce investments that create sensory-friendly, accommodating workspaces.
  • To drive long-term commitments from employers of different sizes to neurodiversity inclusion.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of the Inclusive Workplaces Program within the EDA.
  • Two coordinated program components:
    • Grants for eligible small-business employers to develop neurodiversity-friendly workspaces (Section 3).
    • Tax credits for eligible large-business employers that implement neurodiversity-friendly workplace adjustments (Section 4).
  • Eligibility thresholds:
    • Small-business grants: headquartered in NJ, fewer than 150 employees, at least one full-time neurodivergent employee, demonstrated commitment to neurodiversity inclusion.
    • Large-business tax credits: headquartered in NJ, 150 or more employees, at least three full-time neurodivergent employees, demonstrated commitment to neurodiversity inclusion.
  • Grant specifics:
    • Annual cap: up to $2,500,000 in grants.
    • Individual grant limit: up to $25,000.
    • Rolling application review with preference for long-term accommodation commitments.
  • Tax credit specifics:
    • Annual cap: up to $2,500,000 in tax credits.
    • Credit amount: the lesser of $25,000 or 50% of qualifying capital/workforce investments.
    • Approval on a rolling basis; credits issued as certificates of compliance to be applied against various NJ tax liabilities.
    • Tax credit transfer provisions allow sale/assignment of credits under certain conditions, with safeguards (minimum sale price; prohibition on further transfers by the assignee).
  • Eligible investments covered by both components include:
    • Capital investments and workforce investments to foster inclusivity (sensory-friendly layouts, quiet zones, lighting adjustments, adaptive equipment like noise-cancelling headphones, organization tools, and targeted workforce training).

Who would be affected

  • Small-business employers in New Jersey seeking funds to create neurodiversity-friendly workplaces.
  • Large-business employers in New Jersey investing in adjustments for neurodivergent employees.
  • Employees who are neurodivergent, and prospective neurodiversity-focused workers, could benefit from more inclusive environments.
  • The EDA, the Director of the Division of Taxation, and the Department of Human Services (for regulatory coordination).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Applications would be determined on a rolling basis, subject to annual cap limits.
  • Grants and tax credits require prior approval and (for grants) a grant agreement detailing the grant amount.
  • Effective date: the act takes effect immediately upon enactment.
  • Administrative rules and regulations would be developed by the EDA in consultation with the Director and the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services.

Financial note

  • The bill allocates $2.5 million per program component (grants and tax credits) annually, totaling $5 million in potential annual public support for the Inclusive Workplaces Program.

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

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