S3717

An Act concerning instruction on labor rights, and supplementing chapter 35 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes and chapter 2 of Title 34 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Legislature finds and declares that:

a. It is important for New Jersey students to enter the workforce with a strong understanding of their rights as workers, as well as their explicit rights as employed minors.

b. Establishing “Workplace Readiness Week” in the public schools of the State will: equip students with the necessary knowledge to recognize retaliation and discrimination in the workplace; ensure that young workers receive all wages and benefits to which they are entitled; empower young workers to refuse unsafe work when necessary; and prepare young workers to assert their labor rights whenever those rights are threatened.

c. “Workplace Readiness Week” will ensure students enter the workforce having received a thorough education on their right to join or organize a union at their workplace.

d. It is altogether fitting and proper for the Legislature to ensure that students understand their labor rights prior to entering the workforce.

2. a. A school district shall annually observe the first full week in May as “Workplace Readiness Week.” The purpose of this week shall be to educate students on labor rights in New Jersey, with particular emphasis on the rights of employed minors.

b. The topics covered during “Workplace Readiness Week,” shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) local, State, and federal laws regarding child labor;

(2) wage and hour protections;

(3) worker safety;

(4) workers’ compensation;

(5) paid sick leave;

(6) prohibitions against retaliation;

(7) the right to organize a union in the workplace; and

(8) the history of the labor movement and the labor movement’s role in establishing protections and benefits for workers.

c. The observance of “Workplace Readiness Week” shall be integrated into the regular school program but may also include special events after regular school hours.

d. The observance of “Workplace Readiness Week” shall be required for students in grades 10 through 12.

e. Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit or discourage the observance of “Workplace Readiness Week,” established pursuant to section 2 of this act, in grades kindergarten through 9.

3. a. The database for the employment of minors established pursuant to P.L.2022, c.63 (C.34:2-21.1a et al.) shall include information on basic labor rights extended to workers including, but not limited to:

(1) local, State, and federal laws regarding child labor;

(2) wage and hour protections;

(3) worker safety;

(4) workers’ compensation;

(5) paid sick leave;

(6) prohibitions against retaliation; and

(7) the right to organize a union in the workplace.

b. The information shall be available in English, Spanish, and any other language the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, determines is the first language of a significant number of students and their families.

4. Sections 1 and 2 of this act shall take effect immediately and shall first apply to the first full school year following the date of enactment; and section 3 shall take effect 30 days after the date of enactment or July 1, 2023, whichever is later, except that the commissioner may take any anticipatory administrative action in advance as shall be necessary for the implementation of section 3 of this act.

STATEMENT

This bill establishes “Workplace Readiness Week” in public schools and requires information on labor rights to be included in the database for the employment of minors.

The bill requires each school district to annually observe “Workplace Readiness Week,” which is to include information on local, State, and federal laws regarding child labor; wage and hour protections; worker safety; workers’ compensation; paid sick leave; prohibitions against retaliation; the right to organize a union in the workplace; and the history of the labor movement and the labor movement’s role in establishing protections and benefits for workers. The observance of “Workplace Readiness Week” is required for students in grades 10 through 12 and is not prohibited or discouraged in grades kindergarten through 9. The observance of “Workplace Readiness Week” is to be incorporated into the regular school program, but may also include special events after school hours.

Additionally, the bill requires the database for the employment of minors to include information on basic labor rights extended to workers including, but not limited to, the same topics covered during “Workplace Readiness Week.” This information is to be provided in English, Spanish, and any other language the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, determines is the first language of a significant number of students and their families.