ASSEMBLY PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS
COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
ASSEMBLY, No. 2145
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: JANUARY 27, 2025
The Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee reports
favorably Assembly Bill No. 2145.
As reported by the committee, this bill establishes employment
protections for paid first responders who are diagnosed with certain
cases of work-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Under the bill, an employer would be prohibited from discharging,
harassing, or otherwise discriminating against an employee, or
threatening to do so, with respect to the compensation, terms,
conditions, duties, or privileges of employment on the basis that the
employee took or requested any leave related to a qualifying diagnosis
of PTSD.
The bill provides that if an employer violates its provisions, an
employee or former employee would be authorized to institute a civil
action in the Superior Court for relief. All remedies available in
common law tort actions would be available to a prevailing plaintiff.
Additionally, the bill provides that a court would be authorized to
order any or all of the following relief:
(1) an assessment of a civil fine of $5,000 and $10,000 for each
subsequent violation;
(2) an injunction to restrain the continued violation of any of the
provisions of the bill;
(3) reinstatement of the employee to the same position or to a
position equivalent to that which the employee held prior to unlawful
discharge or retaliatory action;
(4) reinstatement of full fringe benefits and seniority rights;
(5) compensation for any lost wages, benefits and other
remuneration;
(6) payment of reasonable costs and attorney's fees.
This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session
pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes
required by technical review, which has been performed.