Governor Murphy Signs Trio of Immigrant Rights Bills in New Jersey

New Legislation Strengthens Worker Protections and Enhances Accessibility for Immigrant Communities.

[Trenton, NJ] – Governor Phil Murphy has signed a series of bills aimed at bolstering the rights of domestic workers and improving language access to government services. This legislative package marks a significant step in the Murphy Administration's ongoing efforts to foster a more inclusive environment for all residents in New Jersey.

The bills signed into law include:

1. S-723/A-822 (Codey/Timberlake, Jasey, Reynolds-Jackson): This act, known as the 'New Jersey Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights Act', introduces a broad spectrum of rights and protections for domestic workers. It aims to rectify historical exclusions of domestic workers from wage and hour laws and establishes anti-discrimination and anti-harassment protections, health and safety standards, and requirements for written contracts and termination notices.
2. S-2459/ACS for A-3837 (Ruiz, Pou, Cruz-Perez/Jaffer, Park, Stanley): This law mandates state government entities to provide vital documents and translation services in the 15 most commonly spoken non-English languages in New Jersey, addressing the language barriers faced by immigrant communities.
3. A-3092wGR/S2415 (Stanley, Jaffer, Mukherji/Gopal, Ruiz): This legislation requires state agencies to update demographic data collection methods to better reflect the diversity within Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian communities.

Johanna Calle, Director of NJ Human Services’ Office of New Americans, emphasized that breaking down language barriers is crucial for immigrants to access government programs and services. Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin also applauded the legislation, particularly highlighting the significance of the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights in addressing historical racial prejudices.

Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo stated, "This law is another step forward to ensure all workers, especially those who can be vulnerable, marginalized or unseen, are afforded our rigorous protections and generous benefits."

Former Governor Codey, one of the bill's sponsors, pointed out the critical role of domestic workers in supporting New Jersey families and the importance of legal protections against workplace abuses. Similarly, Senator and former Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake, former Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson emphasized the significance of the law in providing basic rights and dignity to domestic workers.

The bill S-2459/ACS for A-3837 takes effect immediately, with translations in all required languages to be completed within 23 months. This step is seen as essential in ensuring all residents have access to state services, irrespective of their language proficiency.

The enactment of these laws is seen as a major stride in ensuring fair treatment and equal opportunities for New Jersey's diverse immigrant population. Advocates and community leaders have widely praised the legislation, viewing it as a crucial measure in making New Jersey a more equitable and welcoming state for immigrants.