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Bill

S 2887

Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Aging and Independence to make an investigation and study of certain current Senate documents relative to aging and independence matters.

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Guarantees maximum workers' comp for volunteers in emergency/health roles, removes the seven-day wait, clarifies eligibility; may raise state/local costs.

Discharged to the committee on Senate Rules
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2887

Summary of New Jersey Senate Bill S.2887

Purpose and Intent

S.2887 authorizes the Joint Committee on Aging and Independence to conduct an investigation and study of current Senate documents related to aging and independence matters. The bill’s related material signals a focus on clarifying workers’ compensation eligibility standards for certain volunteers (firefighters, first aid/rescue squad workers, etc.) in the accompanying legislative package, addressing ambiguities highlighted by case law (notably the Kocanowski v. Twp. of Bridgewater decision). The overarching aim is to ensure clear, predictable workers’ compensation entitlements for volunteer emergency and public service workers, recognizing their dual employment circumstances.

Key Provisions

  • Settlement of Study/Investigation:
    • The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence is authorized to investigate and study a defined set of current Senate documents (e.g., documents numbered S.464, S.467, S.480, S.481, S.483, S.485, S.488, S.490, S.491, S.492, S.493, S.494, S.496) related to aging and independence matters.
  • Workers’ Compensation Provisions (embedded in companion text):
    • The bill provides that certain volunteer and other workers—such as firefighters, volunteer first aid or rescue squad workers, and other specified volunteers in public service roles—shall receive the maximum workers’ compensation benefit for an injury or death, regardless of their outside employment status at the time of injury.
    • It eliminates the seven-day waiting period for these volunteers’ workers’ compensation benefits.
    • It expands eligibility to include a broader group of volunteers (including emergency services, health care workers registered with the Emergency Health Care Provider Registry, and various state/municipal volunteer roles) performing duties within the scope of their service.
    • The instant provisions are framed as clarifications to avoid ambiguities in how the maximum workers’ compensation benefit applies when volunteers have outside employment.
  • Effective Date:
    • The bill is drafted to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Who Is Affected

  • Volunteer emergency response personnel (e.g., firefighters, first aid/rescue squad workers, volunteer ambulance drivers, forest fire personnel, etc.).
  • Health care and public health volunteers registered under the applicable emergency care registry.
  • Municipalities, local emergency services organizations, and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), which administer workers’ compensation benefits.
  • Potentially, volunteers across state and local entities who perform emergency management or related duties.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: September 18, 2025.
  • Initial status and committee actions:
    • Initially referred to the Senate Labor Committee (as part of the companion or related measure development).
    • Reported out of the Senate committee on March 3, 2025 (for related provisions) and subsequently moved through additional committees (Budget and Appropriations, then Senate Rules).
    • On December 18–24, 2025, the bill and accompanying related Senate documents (S.464, S.467, S.480–S.496) were reported by the Aging and Independence committee and an order was reported favorably to the Rules committee for concurrent consideration by both houses.
  • Current status:
    • Discharged to the Senate Rules committee as of December 24, 2025.
  • Related/Balancing Actions:
    • A companion bill exists: A2771.
  • Sponsors:
    • Primary: Ted Cruz (apparent placeholder in provided text; note: verify current sponsor list in official records).
    • Co-sponsors listed include Mark Kelly, Eric S. Schmitt, Tammy Duckworth, Alex Padilla (these appear to be reference data; confirm in state legislative records for accuracy).

Fiscal Impact (From Related Analysis)

  • The fiscal note indicates an annual increase in state and local expenditures due to expanding eligibility for maximum workers’ compensation benefits for volunteer emergency services workers.
  • The Office of Legislative Services notes the increases are indeterminate and depend on the resulting number of eligible claims.
  • Agencies affected include the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and local emergency services organizations.
  • Municipalities may adjust coverage by participating in the state disability plan, securing private insurance, or self-insuring.

Summary

S.2887 seeks to empower a detailed review of aging and independence-related documents while advancing a workers’ compensation framework that guarantees the maximum benefit and waives the seven-day waiting requirement for certain volunteers engaged in emergency and health-related services. The bill, with its companion provisions, promises greater clarity for volunteer entitlement to maximum benefits, while recognizing potential increased fiscal obligations for state and local governments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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