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 for one year. The DOLWD will determine the grant amounts and is tasked with ensuring that the program meets the needs of participating businesses.

To facilitate the program, the bill appropriates $750,000 from the General Fund to the DOLWD. It outlines eligibility requirements for businesses seeking grants, including the submission of necessary documentation and compliance with program regulations. The DOLWD is also required to collaborate with various state agencies and to report annually on the program's effectiveness, including metrics such as the number of businesses participating and the cybersecurity positions created. The bill emphasizes the importance of providing competitive wages for cybersecurity specialists in line with federal job codes.