NJ S1587

Public employees who are military reservists or National Guard members receive 30 work days (for federal reserves) or 90 work days (for NJ National Guard) of paid leave annually for active duty, with pay beyond those limits determined by collective bargaining agreements or employer discretion.

Employers must pay the employee's contributions to retirement systems and health care benefits plans during military leaves of absence.

Leave entitlements include one travel day for those residing 50+ miles from duty location, plus 5 days pre-deployment leave for 30-180 day assignments or 10 days for assignments of 181+ days.

The definition of "emergency" triggering military leave protections is expanded to include the period from September 11, 2001 until termination of the Global War on Terrorism.

Public employers must maintain written military leave policies, respond to leave requests within 90 days or be barred from challenging them, retain records for 10 years, and pay attorney's fees if found in violation of military leave laws.