The New Jersey Jobs Protection Act mandates that all employers in the state utilize the federal E-verify system to verify the employment eligibility of new hires within ninety days of their hiring date. This legislation aims to address the economic challenges faced by New Jersey, including rising unemployment and the presence of unauthorized aliens in the workforce, which has been linked to unfair competition and financial strain on the state's unemployment compensation fund. The act establishes a framework for penalties against employers who knowingly employ unauthorized aliens, with a graduated penalty system that includes fines and probationary periods.

Specifically, the penalties for violations are structured as follows: a first offense incurs a $10,000 fine per unauthorized alien and a three-year probation period requiring quarterly reports to the county prosecutor; a second offense results in a $20,000 fine and an additional five years of probation; and a third offense incurs a $30,000 fine. The act also stipulates that proof of E-verify confirmation creates a rebuttable presumption that an employer did not intentionally or knowingly employ unauthorized aliens. The Attorney General is tasked with maintaining records of violations and ensuring compliance with the act's provisions.