Establishes Health Care Workers COVID-19 Supplemental Benefits Program; appropriates $30 million.
The bill appropriates $30 million from the General Fund to the Second Injury Fund to support the program, with the expectation that it will alleviate financial hardships for health care workers affected by COVID-19, particularly those suffering from long-term symptoms. The support in this bill is crucial for helping health care workers who may be unable to earn a full salary due to illness contracted at work, reinforcing the state's commitment to its essential health care workforce during the pandemic recovery.
Bill S2068 establishes the Health Care Workers COVID-19 Supplemental Benefits Program within the Division of Workers' Compensation in New Jersey. The program is designed to provide supplemental benefits for health care workers who have contracted COVID-19 while performing their job duties. These benefits are aimed at assisting health care workers during periods when they are unable to work due to COVID-19-related health issues. It allows for benefits to continue as long as the worker remains unable to work, up to a maximum of 180 weeks.
One notable aspect of S2068 is the advisory council it establishes, which will be tasked with overseeing the administration of the supplemental benefits program and making necessary recommendations. As the program is operationalized, the council will provide annual reports detailing claims, expenses, and the anticipated need for funds, which is essential for transparency and continued support for affected health care workers. The limitations on claims, requiring submission within two years following the public health emergency, also create a timeline for workers to consider when applying for benefits.