On September 3, 2025, Governor Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill No. 4429 (A4429), which amends the state’s “captive audience” law by expanding the restrictions on employer-mandated communications and meetings concerning political matters to cover an employee’s decision to join or support a labor organization or association.

Quick Hits

• On September 3, 2025, New Jersey enacted A4429, which expands prohibitions on employer-sponsored meeting topics and clarifies exemptions under New Jersey’s “captive audience” law.
• The law defines “political matters” more broadly to include labor organizations or associations.
• The law may face legal challenges such as federal preemption under the National Labor Relations Act or under the First Amendment.
• The act took effect on December 2, 2025.

Overview of the Amendment

Prior to the amendment, New Jersey prohibited employers from requiring employees to attend employer-sponsored meetings or participate in communications with the employer, or its agents or representatives, regarding the employer’s opinion about religious or “political matters.”

Previously, “political matters” covered topics such as political party affiliation and membership in political or community organizations. The amended law now contains a definition of political matters, which is “matters which relate to an electioneering communication and the employee’s decision to join or support any political party or political, civic, community, fraternal, or labor organization or...

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