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Bill

Bill

A 3548

Provides certain volunteer and other workers with maximum compensation benefit for workers' compensation claim regardless of outside employment.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Lou Greenwald

Guarantees New Jersey volunteers and specified workers receive maximum workers' compensation benefits irrespective of outside employment income.

Reported and Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 3548

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 3548 modifies New Jersey's workers' compensation system to allow volunteers and certain other workers to receive maximum compensation benefits regardless of whether they hold outside employment. Currently, workers' compensation benefits are typically calculated based on wages, and outside employment can affect benefit calculations. This bill would decouple that linkage for specified worker categories.

Why is this important

Workers' compensation benefits directly affect financial security for injured workers. This change could significantly benefit volunteers and certain worker classifications by guaranteeing they receive top-tier benefits even if they work multiple jobs or part-time positions. However, it also raises questions about insurance costs, premium structures, and whether benefit maximums are appropriately calibrated for different worker types.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope: The bill language refers to "certain volunteer and other workers" without specifying exact categories, leaving ambiguity about who qualifies and potential for unintended expansions
  • Insurance cost implications: Guaranteeing maximum benefits regardless of outside income could increase workers' compensation insurance premiums, potentially affecting employers and small businesses
  • Fairness and precedent: Questions about whether maximum benefits should be decoupled from actual wage loss, and whether this creates inequitable treatment between worker categories with similar injuries but different employment arrangements

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

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