NJ S3700

Employers with 25 or more employees must provide volunteer first responders one additional paid sick day per benefit year specifically for healthcare diagnostic testing related to their volunteer duties.

Applies to volunteer firefighters, first aid squad members, ambulance and rescue squad volunteers, and others dispatched to emergencies to provide medical care or assistance.

Employees must complete one calendar year of volunteer service before becoming eligible for the additional paid sick day.

The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development will establish regulations defining which medical tests and procedures qualify as related to volunteer first responder duties.

The bill aims to address recruitment and retention challenges for volunteer emergency services by reducing barriers for employed volunteers who may face hazardous exposure.