This bill establishes a cybersecurity employment grant program within the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) aimed at supporting small to mid-sized businesses in hiring cybersecurity specialists. The program will provide grants to qualified businesses—defined as those employing fewer than 500 employees, independently owned and operated, and primarily operating within New Jersey—to assist with the costs associated with establishing and hiring a cybersecurity specialist. The grants will cover the startup salary costs for one year and will be awarded based on criteria set by the DOLWD.

To ensure effective implementation, the bill outlines eligibility requirements for businesses seeking grants, mandates quarterly reporting from grant recipients, and requires the DOLWD to collaborate with various state agencies in administering the program. Additionally, the bill appropriates $750,000 from the General Fund to support the program's operations. The DOLWD is tasked with balancing available funds against the need for cybersecurity staffing among small to mid-sized businesses, thereby maximizing the impact of the funding.