On February 5, the Senate Labor Committee advanced S-1379, which would provide workers' compensation benefits for certain public safety workers who suffered illness, injury, or who died as a result of responding to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Under the bill, S-1379, responders would be eligible for benefits under the workers' compensation law, regardless of when the claim is filed, provided that the worker was treated or monitored through the World Trade Center Health Program established by the Centers for Disease Control.
The World Trade Center Health Program provides no-cost medical monitoring and treatment for certified World Trade Center-related health conditions to individuals directly affected by the 9/11 attacks in New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The program also funds medical research into physical and mental health conditions related to 9/11 exposures.
The bill also requires notification by the State to all active and retired first responders, or if deceased, to notify their next-of-kin at their last known address within three months of the bill's passage that these benefits are available.
Along with MEL-JIF, the League opposes the funding mechanism in this measure and believes the state should fund this program.
The legislation was referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. The League will continue to provide updates as necessary.
Contact: Erin Knoedler, Legislative Analyst, eknoedler@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.