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Committee releases A1429 to exempt volunteer first‑responder stipends from UI and disability contributions
Summary
A1429 would exempt stipends (including clothing allowances) paid to volunteer first responders from unemployment insurance and temporary disability contributions and benefits; the committee read the bill, noted organizational support and released it without debate.
The Assembly Labor Committee read and released A1429, a bill that exempts stipends and clothing allowances paid to volunteer first responders from coverage under the state’s unemployment‑insurance and temporary disability systems and from eligibility for those benefits for services performed as a volunteer first responder.
As read into the record, the measure defines "volunteer first responder" to include a volunteer firefighter, a volunteer member of a duly incorporated first aid, emergency ambulance or rescue squad association, or any individual dispatched to the scene of a motor vehicle accident or other emergency to provide medical care or other assistance. The bill also excludes those stipend amounts from gross income for tax purposes.
Joseph Hankins, vice president of the New Jersey State Firemen's Association, and representatives from the New Jersey Association of Fire Districts and the EMS Council of New Jersey were listed in favor and indicated no need to testify. After no committee questions, the chair entertained a motion to release the bill; committee members then recorded their votes and approved release.
The committee’s vote advances the bill for further legislative consideration.
