NJ A3521

Requires the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to establish a heat stress standard by June 1, 2025, setting heat exposure thresholds that trigger mandatory employer protective actions for employees

Mandates employers develop written heat-related illness and injury prevention plans within 30 days of the act's effective date, including provisions for potable water (32 oz/hour per employee), paid rest breaks, access to shade or cool-down areas, and emergency response procedures

Defines "excessive heat" as 80°F heat index or above for outdoor workplaces and 80°F or above for indoor workplaces (75°F when employees wear heat-restrictive clothing or work in high radiant heat areas)

Establishes anti-retaliation protections allowing employees to refuse work they reasonably believe poses heat-related illness risk, with a 90-day rebuttable presumption of unlawful retaliation for adverse employer actions; penalties range from $500-$1,000 per violation

Creates the "Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program" within DOLWD for enforcement, with administrative penalties of $500-$5,000 per employee per violation, stop-work order authority, and criminal penalties for willful obstruction