Cannabis Legislation Enacted in NJ

Today the NJ Legislature approved, and Governor Phil Murphy signed sweeping legislation to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana. Today's action follows the legislative enactment of medical marijuana laws in NJ and case law approving medical marijuana for the treatment of work-related injuries.

The Case for Vaccinating Educators

Educators might play a central role in in-school transmission networks. Preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections through multifaceted school mitigation measures and COVID-19 vaccination of educators is a critical component of preventing in-school transmission.

NJ Airport Workers' Pay Bill Clears Senate

In order to ensure wage guarantees, greater protections and health care benefits for workers at Newark Liberty International Airport and Train Station, the Senate passed the “Healthy Terminals Act.” The bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Senator Linda Greenstein and Senate President Steve Sweeney, provides that “prevailing wage” rates will be a minimum standard rate of compensation for those workers, and makes the requirements subject to the “New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act.”

Task Forces to Promote Employment of People with Disabilities Clears the NJ Senate

In an effort to help ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities within the workforce, the Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senator Fred Madden and Senate President Steve Sweeney, which would promote the employment of people with disabilities through the enactment of task forces.

NJDOL Investigation into Unpaid Wages Finds Contractor Owes $1.2M to Workers

Three Sons Restoration LLC of Union was assessed approximately $2.75 million in back wages, penalties, and fees following a New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) investigation into the contractor’s failure to pay its employees the state prevailing wage at six job sites.

Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Extending Public Health Emergency in New Jersey - Statutory Presumptions of Compensability Extended

Governor Phil Murphy on February 17, 2021, signed Executive Order No. 222. The Order extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended in 2020 on April 7, May 6, June 4, July 2, August 1, August 27, September 25, October 24, November 22, and December 21, and again in 2021 on January 19. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

National COVID-19 Aerosol Workplace Standard Urged

Leading public health and workplace safety experts have urged the Biden Administration to invoke immediate measures to reduce the aerosol spread based COVID-19 virus. In a letter to the national pandemic response team leaders, the experts have stated that urgent action is needed on a national scale.