Regarding the legality of employing people to sew at home in NJ, I can tell you that it may also depend on the zoning of their homes. For instance, my NJ home is in a zone that will not allow any manufacturing whatsoever. I can design and make samples, but can’t produce any garments for resale in my home.

My contact is only in on Tuesdays, but I’ll see if I can get any answers to Kathleen’s unresolved questions.

(Thanks for the NJ contractor info, Kathleen!)

Dictionary.com defines an individual as “a single human being”. If the above snippet is borrowed verbatim from the rule itself, it would logically seem to apply only to items that are offered for sale within New Jersey for human beings to wear.

Unless, of course, New Jersey means “individual” in the biological sense of “a single organism capable of independent existence” – in which case it would be interesting to see what other rights and responsibilities it lays on e.g. dachshunds, amoebas and newts.

Then again, if the state’s definition is “a distinct, indivisible entity; a single thing, being, instance, or item”, all laws that use the term will naturally also apply to barbie dolls, pet rocks and groceries. I’d very much like to be a juror in a vehemently argued trial whose verdict hinges on whether a milk carton is wearing a shopping bag when you take it home, or whether it is just lying inside…

I capitolized what appears to be The key word -WORN. Are dog beds, pot holders, table runners, quilts and or bed linen, back packs, luggage,purses considered worn? Is a dog,cat or horse an “individual” if it wears a coat?

Seems there are a lot of loopholes in this statement which lacks clear definition and loads of room for “abuse” of the very people they seem to be trying to protect.

A good attorney would have a blast with this case.

Kaaren Hoback