# New Jersey Leaders Seek Contractor Rule Delay

New Jersey legislative leaders Anthony M. Bucco and John DiMaio are asking Governor Mikie Sherrill to delay the Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s independent-contractor classification rule, which is scheduled to take effect today, October 1, 2026, until July 1, 2027. No delay has been approved in the signals. The rule’s ABC-test changes may affect businesses and independent workers, including organizations that support public-sector work and rely on independent labor.

- Organizations using independent workers in New Jersey should review their worker-classification and staffing arrangements against the rule’s ABC test, since the scheduled effective date is today.
- Procurement teams and contractors should account for possible workforce and subcontractor availability impacts in New Jersey, while not assuming implementation has been postponed.
- The proposed delay would move the requested implementation date to July 1, 2027; legislative leaders cite the need for broader review and possible legislative action.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Topics:** Policy, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 01, 2026

### Government Entities
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
- New Jersey Legislature
- Office of the Governor of New Jersey

### Sources
- [Bucco, DiMaio to Sherrill: Stop the contractor rule before it hits New Jersey workers tomorrow • New Jersey Legislative SRO, NJ](https://www.senatenj.com/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/1322) - NJ
- [Bucco, DiMaio to Sherrill: Stop the contractor rule before it hits New Jersey workers tomorrow • New Jersey Legislative Assembly Republicans, NJ](https://www.njassemblygop.com/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/1073) - NJ