NJ measure removes “outdated laws” that allowed employers not to hire and promote workers over 70

TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey on Tuesday removed a waiver in its anti-discrimination law that allowed employers not to hire or promote workers aged 70 or older.

Democratic Governor Phil Murphy enacted the law, declaring that “discrimination of any kind has no place in New Jersey.”

New Jersey law prohibits discrimination or harassment based on disability, sex, national origin, race, religion or age. But the law contained provisions that said the law should not be interpreted as preventing employers “from refusing to accept a job or promoting anyone over the age of 70”.

The new law removes this provision. It also removes a section that allowed colleges and universities to require retirement at age 70.

“70 is the new 50’s, and older people continue to work either because of financial need or because they still have the energy, skills and experience,” Democratic Senator Shirley said Turner in a statement.

One of the bill’s sponsors said the measure was necessary to update the state’s anti-discrimination laws.

“As in many parts of the country, New Jersey’s workforce is aging and we must be proactive to protect these older workers from age discrimination,” said the Democratic Majority Leader in the Senate, Loretta Weinberg, in a statement. “One way to do this is to bring these outdated laws into the 21st century. “

The bill passed unopposed earlier this year and had the support of advocacy groups like New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well.

The new law comes into force immediately.

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