Call on Governor Murphy to Veto the Workers' Comp Legislation
Morris Chamber Members and Friends,

The business community, concerned for opening more businesses and increasing jobs, was carefully monitoring a bill that allows a presumption that certain essential employees who contracted COVID-19 on the job and shifts the response costs onto New Jersey’s workers compensation system. Assembly bill S-2380 creates a rebuttable presumption for workers' compensation insurance purposes that certain essential employees contracted the virus during the scope of their employment. 

Currently, an employee has a choice - he or she can either file for NJ workers' compensation or for federal benefits. Under this legislation, any employee working at an "essential business" who develops COVID-19 is presumed to have caught the virus on the job and, thus, deemed eligible for all workers' compensation benefits. The shift in presumption is a change from current statute.

The workers' compensation system is designed to handle claims when a worker is clearly injured at the job. Unlike traditional workers' compensation claims, COVID-19 is a global pandemic that we are all trying to understand. Furthermore, it is not clear when and where someone contracts the virus, making it extremely difficult to prove it was contracted at their place of employment. This change in presumption will raise the cost of workers' compensation premiums at a time when business has been devastated by COVID-19. Please join us in urging the Governor to veto S-2380.

The business community lobbied hard against the bill, as it will force employers to shoulder increased premiums at a very difficult time, while irresponsibly leaving federal CARES Act money on the table that is specifically allocated to cover the costs of essential workers who do contract COVID-19 on the job. The bill, as written, also does not limit the time to a presumption of contracting the illness to when New Jersey’s stay-at-home orders were in place.

The bill is now on Gov. Murphy’s desk and the Morris County Chamber and its statewide business partner, NJBIA is calling on you to ask him to veto the bill. To take action, please ask Governor Murphy to veto the bill if you have not already do so by clicking here.
To see how you’re legislator voted on the bill, click here.

Thank you,
Meghan Hunscher, President & CEO, Morris County Chamber + EDC
Mike Stanzilis, VP of Membership, Morris County Chamber + EDC
Alan Zakin, Alan Zakin Associates and Chair of Morris Chamber Government Affairs & ELC

If you have any questions, please call Mike Stanzilis, at 973.210.6079
NEWS & INFORMATION RELATED TO COVID-19
Update for NJ Businesses from the NJ Chamber of Commerce

  • Rising Number of COVID-19 Cases Triggering Alarms
  • Nursing Home Industry Reforms
  • New Federal Emergency Relief Bill Stalled
  • Kids & Coronavirus - Weighing the Risks

After New COVID-19 Cases Rose Last Week, Gov. Murphy Warns of New Measures
More than four months after coronavirus forced Gov. Murphy to place restrictions on New Jersey's economy, swelling case totals have triggered alarms. Murphy said new enforcement or fresh restrictions on indoor gatherings are likely if the numbers continue to trend upward. (Politico) 

Nursing Home Reform
Legislation calling for big changes in New Jersey's nursing home industry, including raising the minimum wage for workers and tougher penalties for facilities that don't meet government standards, was introduced in response to a pandemic that has killed thousands. (nj.com) 

Still Working on the Next Emergency Relief Bill in DC
Additional federal payments of $600 per week to millions of unemployed Americans ended Friday and there is no indication they will resume soon. The amount of the additional payments remained a sticking point in talks in D.C. over a new stimulus bill. The proposed legislation would also include another $1,200 stimulus payment. The U.S. House delayed its scheduled August recess to continue work on the legislation. (nj.com) 

Children and Coronavirus
So much remains unknown as schools head for reopening. Early on, it was suggested kids weren’t facing the same risks. Now, experts say they do — as well as lingering effects if they become ill. (NJ Spotlight) 
For the latest MEMBER NEWS, visit our Around The Chamber page.
US CHAMBER RESOURCES
A standard questionnaire for employees to help employers screen workers everyday is available to download here

For a return-to-work playbook for employers, click here

Small Business Survival Guide has a complete listing of all of the coronavirus resources for small businesses.
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