STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 315

with Senate Floor Amendments

(Proposed by Senator VITALE)

ADOPTED: MARCH 24, 2022

      These amendments reduce the minimum length of transitional period provided by the bill from six months to four months.

      The amendment also clarify that for the purposes of determining penalties and remedies imposed by the State wage payment law (P.L.1965, c.173 (C.34:11-4.10)(“WPL”) for violations of the bill:

      1.   a failure to pay an employee wages, paid time off, or the value of benefits as required by the bill is regarded as a failure to pay the full amount of wages for the purposes of the WPL;

      2.   any discharge of, or failure to offer employment or retain in employment, an employee in violation of the bill is regarded as retaliation against the employee for the purposes of the WPL; and

      3.   in a civil action brought before a court by the employee, the court has the authority to order injunctive or other permanent equitable relief, including immediate reinstatement of any employee discharged or not retained in violation of the bill.