Sponsored by:
Senator PETER J. BARNES, III
District 18 (Middlesex)
Senator JIM WHELAN
District 2 (Atlantic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Gill and Gordon
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits employment discrimination based on applicant employment status.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Labor Committee on March 17, 2014, with amendments.
An Act concerning the hiring of unemployed job applicants and supplementing P.L.2011, c.40 (C.34:8b-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. An employer or employer's agent, representative, or designee shall not 1[base an] discriminate against an applicant for employment in any1 employment decision with regard to hiring, compensation or the terms, conditions or privileges of employment 1[on the fact that an] because the1 applicant is, or has been, unemployed, except that nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting an employer, employment agency, or agent thereof, when making employment decisions with regard to hiring, compensation, or the terms, conditions or privileges of employment, from:
a. Inquiring into 1the applicant’s employment history, including1 the circumstances surrounding an applicant’s separation from prior employment;
b. Considering any substantially job-related qualifications, including, but not limited to, a current and valid professional or occupational license, a certificate, registration, permit, or other credential, a minimum level of education or training, or a minimum level of professional, occupational, or field experience;
c. Determining that only applicants who are currently employed by the employer will be considered for employment or given priority for employment or with respect to compensation or terms, conditions or privileges of employment; or
d. Setting compensation, terms, or conditions of employment for the applicant based on the applicant’s actual amount of experience.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.