This bill amends New Jersey laws regarding bereavement leave by expanding the definition of "family leave" to include leave for bereavement due to the death or stillbirth of a child, miscarriage, and other related circumstances. It specifies that employees can take leave for the death or stillbirth of their child or a gestational carrier's child, unsuccessful adoptions, and various types of miscarriages, including chemical, ectopic, and molar pregnancies, as well as failed fertility treatments. The bill establishes limits on the duration of bereavement leave, allowing up to 21 days for circumstances not covered by other leave types and up to 7 days for situations qualifying for family leave.

Additionally, the bill modifies certification requirements for bereavement leave, stating that for the death, miscarriage, or stillbirth of a child, only the date of the event needs to be indicated. It also amends the Temporary Disability Benefits Law to clarify definitions and eligibility criteria for "covered individuals" and "covered employers," allowing employers to elect coverage for at least two years. The bill introduces provisions for family temporary disability leave, including bereavement for the loss of a child or unsuccessful fertility treatments, and expands the definition of "disability" to include illnesses related to communicable diseases during a state of emergency. Significant changes include the deletion of references to the "Division of Unemployment and" and the insertion of the "Division of Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development."

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34:11B-3, 34:11B-4, 43:21-27