The proposed bill establishes an Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program within the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), mandating the creation of a heat stress standard by June 1, 2025. This standard requires employers to develop and implement a tailored heat-related illness and injury prevention plan, which includes monitoring employee exposure to heat, providing access to potable water and rest breaks, and implementing emergency response procedures. The bill also sets forth training requirements for employees and supervisors, mandates record-keeping for heat-related incidents, and protects employees from retaliation for asserting their rights under this act.

Furthermore, the bill grants the commissioner the authority to issue stop-work orders against non-compliant employers and outlines penalties for violations, ranging from $500 to $2,000 per employee, with a civil penalty of $2,000 per day for continued violations of a stop-work order. It emphasizes that amusement parks and certain commercial farms, as well as emergency services operations, are exempt from its requirements. The bill also ensures that it does not diminish existing employee protections or collective bargaining rights, while requiring annual reviews of the prevention plans to ensure they remain effective and relevant.