ASSEMBLY PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3810

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 27, 2025

      The Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 3810.

      As reported by the committee, this bill provides that within 180 days after the bill’s effective date a paid or part-paid fire department or force will adopt, review, and update, if needed, at least annually, a policy that addresses the job-related issues of any pregnant member of that department or force.  These include, but are  not limited to, disclosure of a pregnancy, issuance of a medical certificate by the member’s physician in regard to any limitations on job-related duties, and the availability of any light-duty or non-hazardous assignments.  The policy will also provide that a pregnant firefighter will be given information as to when certain job-related tasks may not be appropriate for the member, the use of leave time for pregnancy, and the continuation of employee benefits. 

      In creating this policy the department or force will be guided by the standards of the National Fire Protection Association, or of another such professional organization, that apply to the job-related issues affecting pregnant firefighters.