New Jersey has enacted Senate Bill 4506 to address wage laws for minor league baseball players. The legislation exempts these players from state wage and hour laws and recordkeeping requirements when they are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that governs wages and working conditions.
This measure follows the first nationwide agreement signed on March 29, 2023, between the Major League Baseball Players Association and Minor League Baseball. The agreement provides significant benefits, including salaries, health care, housing, retirement plans, meals, and tuition assistance, recognizing that the unique nature of minor league athletic work makes state wage laws incompatible with these terms.
The exemption applies only during the term of such agreements, which may be renewed or extended, and requires notification to the Department of Labor of any changes. The act takes effect immediately and remains in force as long as a qualifying agreement is in place.