NEW JERSEY – Assemblyman Alex Sauickie’s bill permitting farmworkers to live onsite was passed by the Assembly Labor Committee on Thursday.
The bill (A4501) updates New Jersey’s Right to Farm Act to include the right to house workers on commercial farms, protecting landowners from public or private nuisance lawsuits.
“This bill recognizes that farmworkers often need to respond quickly to emergencies that could threaten crops or livestock,” said Sauickie (R-Ocean).
Under the bill, the amount of onsite housing must correlate to the labor needed to operate the farm. It would apply to full-time workers who are not family members of the landowners and operators. The employees could not be charged rent.
“Equine farm employees already have this right, so this bill brings consistency to the law and provides clarity for municipalities and landowners,” Sauickie added.
In New Jersey, full-time equine farm employees are allowed to reside within the same building or facility where the horses are kept or boarded.
The bill passed the Senate in January and goes to the Speaker for further consideration.
“Living on the premises gives employees the 24/7 access they need to support the farm and the future of New Jersey’s agriculture industry,” Sauickie said.
