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Bill

Bill

S 2046

Establishes protected leave under "Family Leave Act" and family temporary disability leave benefits for bereavement for death of child, miscarriage, stillbirth, and certain other circumstances.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Tony Bucco and 6 co-sponsors

New Jersey bill expands family leave protections to include paid bereavement leave for child death, miscarriage, and stillbirth, ensuring job protection during grief.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Labor Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2046

Legislative bill overview

S 2046 expands New Jersey's Family Leave Act to include protected leave and temporary disability benefits for employees experiencing bereavement related to the death of a child, miscarriage, stillbirth, and other specified circumstances. The bill creates a formal legal framework ensuring workers can take time off during these traumatic events without jeopardizing their employment or losing income support.

Why is this important

Pregnancy loss and child death are significant life events that currently lack explicit legal protection in many employment contexts. This bill addresses a gap in worker protections by recognizing these experiences as qualifying events for paid leave and job security, potentially reducing financial strain during periods of grief while allowing employees to focus on processing loss and family needs.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope: Questions about which "certain other circumstances" qualify may create ambiguity in implementation and potential disputes over eligibility
  • Employer burden: Businesses, particularly small employers, may face administrative complexity and costs associated with managing claims and temporary replacement workers
  • Program funding: Unclear whether benefits come from existing temporary disability insurance funds, new payroll taxes, or general revenue, which affects cost distribution among employers and employees
  • Leave duration: The bill doesn't specify how many days/weeks of leave apply, which could range from highly modest to economically significant depending on final terms

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

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