On June 4, 2012, a bill (S2044) was introduced in the state Senate (and referred to the Senate Labor Committee) that would greatly expand employers’ notice obligations under the state Family Leave Insurance (FLI) and Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) laws.
The bill would require the NJDOL to issue a new, more detailed notice and poster of employee rights under the FLI, replacing the current notice/poster. The new notice/poster would not only contain additional content, but also would have to be distributed to employees at least twice annually in addition to the existing distribution requirements (i.e., distribution not later than 30 days after the poster is issued by regulation; at the time of the employee’s hiring; when the employee advises the employer that he or she needs leave for a covered purpose; and at any time, upon first request of the employee).
The bill also would require the NJDOL to substantially revise the current TDI poster and would add distribution requirements for that poster to match the FLI poster’s distribution requirements, including the twice-per-year proposal. Currently there are no distribution requirements for the TDI poster.
Additionally, the bill would require the NJDOL to prepare a downloadable multi-language brochure detailing state and federal leave laws for New Jersey health care professionals and health care institutions to post and make available to their patients. Finally, the bill would require the NJDOL to develop and implement a detailed statewide plan to promote public awareness of state temporary disability leave benefits, family disability leave benefits, and related unemployment benefits.
