New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Legislation Update
Since the holidays and the start of the new year, there have been no new New Jersey appellate decisions in workers’ compensation. Below are some of the more notable pending New Jersey workers’ compensation bills in the 2024-25 session, with any updates since November 2024 in bold.
A1719 / S1883 Excludes Certain Illegal Aliens
This excludes certain illegal aliens from workers’ compensation and temporary disability benefits. It was introduced on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.
A1732 / S1923 Prevent Intoxicated Employees from Workers’ Compensation
This prevents intoxicated employees from receiving workers’ compensation. It was introduced on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.
A1934 / S786 Reduce Statute of Limitations in Medical Fee Disputes
This reduces statute of limitations from six years to two years in medical fee disputes in workers’ compensation matters. It was introduced on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.
A2100 / S1470 Provides workers’ compensation benefits for certain public safety workers who developed illness or injury as result of responding to September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
This provides workers’ compensation benefits for certain public safety workers who developed illness or injury as result of responding to September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It was introduced on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee. On September 19, 2024, it was reported out of with Amendments and referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee.
A2297 Revises Coverage for Certain Injuries to Public Safety & Law Enforcement
This revises workers’ compensation coverage for certain injuries to volunteer and professional public safety and law enforcement personnel. It was introduced on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.
A2771 /S2887 Maximum Benefits to Volunteers
This provides certain volunteer and other workers with maximum compensation benefit for workers’ compensation claim regardless of outside employment. It was introduced on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee. On March 4, 2024, it was also introduced to the Senate and referred to the Senate Labor Committee.
A4371 / S1943 Requiring Coverage for Medical Cannabis Use
This requires workers’ compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances. It was introduced on May 16, 2024, to the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.
S2278 Testimony in Workers’ Compensation
This concerns submission of testimony in workers’ compensation claims. It was introduced on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Senate Labor Committee.
S305 / A2507 Requires Administrative Law Judges to be enrolled in Workers’ Compensation Judges Part of PERS.
This increases statutory mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court Justices, Superior Court Judges, Tax Court Judges, Administrative Law Judges, and Workers’ Compensation Judges from 70 to 75. It was introduced on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee. On December 16, 2024, there was a 2nd reading and was referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
S1565 Increase Mandatory Retirement Age
This increases statutory mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court Justices, Superior Court Judges, Tax Court Judges, Administrative Law Judges, and Workers’ Compensation Judges from 70 to 75. It was introduced on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
S2278 Testimony in Workers’ Compensation
This concerns submission of testimony in workers’ compensation claims. It was introduced on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Senate Labor Committee.
S3772 Concerns valuation of board and lodging with respect to workers’ compensation
This concerns valuation of board and lodging with respect to workers’ compensation. It was introduced on October 10, 2024, and referred to the Senate Labor Committee. On December 5, 2024, there was a 2nd reading and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
What’s Hot in Workers’ Comp, Vol. 29, No. 2, February 2025, is prepared by Marshall Dennehey to provide information on recent legal developments of interest to our readers. This publication is not intended to provide legal advice for a specific situation or to create an attorney-client relationship. We would be pleased to provide such legal assistance as you require on these and other subjects when called upon. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING pursuant to New York RPC 7.1 Copyright © 2025 Marshall Dennehey, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted without the express written permission of our firm. For reprints or inquiries, or if you wish to be removed from this mailing list, contact tamontemuro@mdwcg.com.