The NJ Senate passed an historic legislative proposal that will change the way benefits are delivered in work related injuries in NJ. S2447 provides for a collective bargaining arrangement that allows for delivery of benefits without the necessity of formal intervention before the NJ Division of Workers' Compensation, that will however remain an option in the process.
The bill requires the commissioner to recognize as valid a group plan for the payment of workers' compensation by a Taft-Hartley trust fund if the plan is negotiated between the employer group and one or more unions, and it complies with the commissioner's requirements to disclose information and take measures needed to ensure the payment of compensation.
The commissioner may conduct annual examinations and deny applications or revoke his approval for good cause.
The bill also permits, but does not require, employers, whether or not they purchase group coverage or establish group self-insurance for workers’ compensation, to negotiate with one or more unions an agreement to better promote workplace safety and the fair, timely, and cost-effective delivery of workers’ compensation benefits by means of any one or more of the following:
1. The use of networks or lists, mutually agreed upon by the employers and the unions, of providers of medical treatment, medical evaluation and rehabilitation as the exclusive providers of those services, notwithstanding other provisions of the workers’ compensation law regarding the selection of providers;
2. The coordination and integration of the delivery of workers' compensation with group health benefits and non-occupational temporary disability benefits;
3. The provision of additional benefits to supplement benefits provided under workers' compensation, non-occupational temporary disability insurance, or both;
4. The creation of joint labor-management occupational safety and health committees; and
5. The creation or promotion of light-duty, modified job and return-to-work programs. As amended, the bill prohibits such agreements or group plans from diminishing employee entitlements to workers' compensation or temporary disability benefits or from denying or diminishing employee or employer rights regarding the obtaining or disputing of compensation or benefits, including, but not limited to, all rights of employers or employees to obtain resolution of disputed claims by the Division of Workers’ Compensation, all rights of employees to secure treatment and services refused by an employer, all rights of employers or employees to representation by an attorney at any stage of the resolution of any aspect of a workers' compensation claim, and all rights of employers or employees to have attorney, witness and other fees paid, as provided by the workers’ compensation law.
The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development is required to set standards, monitor, and issue annual reports regarding the agreements.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS: The amendments adopted by the committee clarify that nothing in a collective bargaining agreement entered into under the bill (as well as nothing in an agreement or group plan for self-insurance, or group purchase of insurance, under the bill) is to be construed as permitting any diminishment of any rights provided by the workers’ compensation law to employers (as well as employees), including, but not limited to, all rights to have disputed claims resolved by the Division of Workers’ Compensation, and the right to have, and receive fees for, representation in such claims.
| Session Voting: Sen. 6/25/2015 - 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Yes {24} No {12} Not Voting {4} - Roll Call
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