The New Jersey State AFL-CIO respectfully urges you to support in-committee legislation that changes the “burden-of-proof requirement” for workers infected with the coronavirus under the state’s workers compensation system.
The New Jersey State Senate Labor Committee will meet remotely on Tuesday, May 12, at 3 p.m., and on the agenda is:
S-2380 (Sweeney / Singer / Greenstein) – This bill creates a presumption that COVID-19 infections contracted by essential employees – including, but not limited to, health care workers and public safety workers – are work-related for the purpose of employment benefits provided for work-related injuries and illnesses, including but not limited to, workers’ compensation benefits.
Additionally, this bill provides that an essential employee’s absence from work due to the employee contracting or being exposed to COVID-19 will be considered on-duty time, and an employer is prohibited from charging the employee any paid leave for the absence.
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO urges unions representing brothers and sisters doing essential work to submit testimony by Monday, May 11. Insurance companies and businesses already are lining up to oppose this critically needed measure.
The Labor Committee will take oral testimony by telephone and/or video, limited to three minutes. Unions interested in testifying orally should fill out the Senate Labor Committee Registration Form located on the New Jersey Legislature home page. The form must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on May 11, 2020. Committee contact information will be forwarded to you.
Otherwise, unions should submit written testimony electronically to OLSAideSLA@njleg.org
Please ensure that our hard-working frontline heroes get the benefits they deserve as they battle the invisible enemy.