NEW JERSEY – Assemblyman Alex Sauickie’s bill permitting farmworkers to live onsite was signed into law May 9.
The bill (A4501/S3353) 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). “I’m pleased it is now law.”
The new law stipulates that the amount of onsite housing must correlate to the labor needed to operate the farm. It applies to full-time workers who are not family members of the landowners and operators. The employees also could not be charged rent.
“Equine farm employees already have this right, so this 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.
“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.
