Bill Text: NJ A2258 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires employers to pay their employees when serving on a jury.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-27 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee [A2258 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-A2258-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman VINCENT PRIETO
District 32 (Bergen and Hudson)
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Requires employers to pay their employees when serving on a jury.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning jury service and amending N.J.S.2B:20-17.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. N.J.S.2B:20-17 is amended to read as follows:
2B:20-17. Employment protection.
a. An employer shall not penalize an employee with respect to employment, or threaten or otherwise coerce an employee with respect to that employment, because the employee is required to attend court for jury service. An employer shall pay an employee his usual compensation for each day he is present for jury service, less the amount of per diem fee for each day of jury service as shown on a statement issued to the juror by the sheriff or other court officer making payment of juror fees.
b. An employer who violates subsection a. of this section is guilty of a disorderly persons offense.
c. If an employer penalizes an employee in violation of subsection a. of this section, the employee may bring a civil action for economic damages suffered as a result of the violation and for an order requiring the reinstatement of the employee. The action shall be commenced within 90 days from the date of the violation or the completion of jury service, whichever is later. If the employee prevails, the employee shall be entitled to a reasonable attorney's fee fixed by the court.
(cf: P.L.1995, c.44, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill amends the current law concerning employment protection for jury service. This law specifically prohibits an employer from penalizing an employee who misses work because of jury duty. This bill would clarify that an employer is required to pay an employee his usual compensation for each day that person is present for jury service, less the amount per diem fee for each day of jury service as shown on a statement issued to the juror by the court officer who is making the payment of juror fees.
