The New Jersey Assembly is now advancing a bill that would make it easier for frontline employees who contract COVID-19 to obtain workers' compensation benefits. New Jersey was one of the hardest-hit states by the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislation A3999 would provide relief for essential workers who have contracted the disease without having to prove they contracted the virus while on the job.
Legislation has been passed in other states which presumes the illness was contracted in connection with the work-related activities of front line workers.
Proponents of the law have stated that this measure is necessary to protect frontline employees and to restore New Jersey's economy. The bill would be retroactive to March 9, 2020, when the pandemic began.
The bill has already approved by the New Jersey Senate.
The NJ AFL-CIO has established a link requesting that interest parties support the legislation by contacting their legislators immediately to urge passage of the NJ Assembly bill.
