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Panel approves amendment to make 9/11 responders eligible for workers'compensation presumption
Summary
The Assembly Labor Committee released A21100 with amendments to establish a presumption that public safety workers treated through the World Trade Center Health Program are compensable under state workers'compensation law; supporters said it would ease claims and reduce litigation costs, and the committee moved the bill forward unanimously by voice vote.
The Assembly Labor Committee on Tuesday voted to release A21100, a bill that would create a presumption that public safety workers who participated in response to the Sept. 11 attacks and are treated or monitored through the World Trade Center Health Program are compensable under state workers'compensation law.
Committee members heard a reading of the bill and brief remarks from the sponsor, who said the proposal is intended to ensure that responders with illnesses linked to the 9/11 attacks can access compensation without being blocked by procedural hurdles. "This bill would make it easier for those responders to get workers' compensation for any illness, injury, or even death that's been linked to the 9/11 attacks," the sponsor said during opening remarks.
Sean Lavin, chair of the legislative committee for the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police, testified in support, describing both professional and personal reasons for backing the measure. Lavin said the bill would "streamline and cut significantly the cost to the unions and to the taxpayers," and described a recent family loss as a reminder of the bill'making need: "My uncle...was found to have World Trade Center cancers, and he died about 4 weeks ago."
Committee amendments clarified eligibility and notice requirements and aligned the bill with a corresponding Senate version, the clerk read. The amendments would also adjust the statute-of-limitations language; the bill as amended allows certain filing windows tied to awareness of a permanent disability connected to World Trade Center exposure.
After testimony and brief discussion, a member moved to amend and release the bill. Members present recorded their votes and the chair announced the measure was released with committee amendments.
Supporters said the change would reduce litigation over benefits for responders and help workers who have developed conditions only discovered long after service. Several professional firefighter and police organizations waived in'person testimony but registered their support.
The committee did not take up final passage; release with committee amendments moves A21100 to the next legislative reference for further consideration.
