Just two months into New Jersey’s 2026 legislative session, state lawmakers are advancing a slate of bills that could have significant implications for employers, including several new employment protections related to pregnancy and lactation, in addition to expanding family and sick leave and broadening protections under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD).

Quick Hits

• New Jersey lawmakers are currently considering several bills that would have significant implications for employers.
• Key proposals include the establishment of paid prenatal leave, an extension of pregnancy-related disability benefits, and amendments to ensure paid sick leave applies to employees bound by amendable collective bargaining agreements.

Here is a summary of some notable employment law bills currently under consideration.

Pregnancy-Related Employment Protections

Assembly Bill (A) 113—Concerns bereavement leave for miscarriage and stillbirth

This bill would amend the New Jersey Family Leave Act to include “the death of a child or miscarriage or stillbirth of a child” in the definition of job-protected “family leave.” The bill would also amend the definition of “family leave” to include “time to grieve.” The bill would allow employees to certify the leave by “stat[ing] the date of the death, miscarriage, or stillbirth.” The bill was introduced on January 13, 2026.

A4358—Expansion of pregnancy-related temporary disability

Under current law, employees are entitled to paid temporary...

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