New Jersey
Discussion
New Jersey: New Qualification Requirements for Public Works Craftworkers
On September 9, 2026, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed AB 4072, which amends New Jersey’s Public Works Contractor Registration Act by adding a new individual worker qualification and certification requirement for journeyperson craftworkers employed on public work. Effective September 9, 2027, the amendment requires contractors to certify (with supporting documentation satisfactory to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development) that each covered journeyperson craftworker either (1) graduated from a qualifying registered apprenticeship program or (2) completed four years of documented craftwork experience verified through pay records or sworn statements. Craftworkers employed under qualifying collective bargaining agreements are exempt, but contractors with both represented and non-represented workers will need to conduct a worker-by-worker review to confirm which employees qualify for the exemption. The amendment supplements, rather than replaces, existing apprenticeship program participation requirements under the Act. Several implementation details, including what documentation the DOLWD will accept and whether the four-year experience requirement must be in the same craft, remain open pending agency guidance. New Jersey public works contractors should begin identifying covered workers and assembling qualification documentation ahead of the amendment’s effective date and should consult with legal counsel regarding specific compliance obligations.
New Jersey: New Annual Medicaid Assessment for Employers
Beginning July 1, 2027, New Jersey’s AB 5324 will require employers with 50 or more employees to pay an annual Medicaid assessment. The assessment is tiered, ranging from $325-$725, based on the number of employees and dependents who receive health benefits coverage through the State’s Medicaid program. Notably, introductory (employed less than 90 days), part-time, per-diem, temporary, and seasonal employees are excluded.
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