New Jersey Broadens Family Leave Act

Major changes to the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) will take effect on July 17, 2026.

First, the amended law reduces the threshold to 15 or more employees. When counting employees, you must include all employees, including those employed in and outside New Jersey.

Second, to be eligible for NJFLA leave, employees need only be employed for at least three months and worked 250 hours during the preceding 12-month period.

The new law also significantly amends the Temporary Disability Insurance benefits (TDI) and Family Leave Insurance benefits (FLI) laws to provide job-protected leave.

Employers face operational and compliance implications, including handbook updates, COBRA considerations, and challenges managing extended employee absences.

Jackson Lewis:
New NJ Family Leave Act Broadens Employee Access and Benefits, Complicates Employer Compliance