UPDATE ON FAMILY LEAVE INSURANCE

BILL COST ASSESSMENT BEGINS JANUARY 1, 2009

The cost assessment for the NJ Family Leave Insurance bill will begin January 1, 2009 and benefits will be available beginning July 1, 2009.

The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development has begun drafting regulations using existing TDI regulations as a foundation, taking parts that apply and tossing out those that do not apply.  They are now working on more complicated issues, such as workers who hold more than one job.  They have also mailed information to government entities not currently in the TDI system but will participate in FLI, as well as larger employers (those w/200 or more employees) with complex payroll systems that might require some changes to incorporate FLI.  Lastly, they have posted information on their web site (http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/employer/ea/legal/FLI.html) and are drafting posters, pamphlets and other outreach/education materials.

In order to have regulations in place for January 1 implementation of the cost assessment, the NJ Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development will need to post them for comment in August or September in order to give sufficient time for 60 day comment period, and revisions, if needed.

We will keep you posted as these regulations are developed and made available for review.