Provides employment protections for paid first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder under certain conditions.

Job protections for first responders with PTSD

Beginning January 14, 2026, New Jersey public employers cannot fire, harass, discriminate against, threaten, or otherwise retaliate against covered paid first responders for requesting or taking leave tied to qualifying post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Covered workers include police officers, paid firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, 9-1-1 dispatchers, and paid rescue-squad members. A workers’ compensation judge’s order or agreement can establish qualifying PTSD. Alternatively, a licensed mental health professional approved by both employer and worker must link PTSD to job-related trauma, including indirect trauma. Employers must restore the worker’s prior job and duties once an approved professional documents fitness to return, with full fringe benefits and seniority restored. Current or former workers can file with the Division of Workers’ Compensation within one year of an alleged violation. Available relief includes the same or an equivalent job, restored benefits and seniority, lost wages and benefits, reasonable legal costs and attorney’s fees, and orders to stop violations. Employers also face civil fines of $5,000 for a first violation and $10,000 for each later violation; these are not stated as payments to workers. This claim is the sole remedy for violations of this law, with relief limited to the remedies the law references.