The "New Jersey First Responders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Protection Act" aims to provide employment protections for paid first responders diagnosed with work-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Under this bill, employers are prohibited from discharging, harassing, or discriminating against employees based on their request for leave related to a qualifying PTSD diagnosis. A diagnosis is considered qualifying if it is made by a licensed physician or mental health professional and arises from the employee's experiences during their regular duties or from vicarious trauma. Upon returning from leave, employees must be reinstated to their previous positions if their fitness to return is documented by a qualified professional.

If an employer violates these provisions, affected employees or former employees can file a civil action in the Superior Court. The bill allows for various remedies, including civil fines of $5,000 for the first violation and $10,000 for subsequent violations, as well as injunctions, reinstatement to prior positions, restoration of benefits, compensation for lost wages, and coverage of legal costs. The action must be initiated within one year of the alleged violation, and this private cause of action is designated as the sole remedy for violations of the act.