Legislation (S-222) that would allow temporary employees working at state psychiatric institutions or correctional facilities to apply for Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) accidental disability benefits for injuries sustained while performing their duties has been approved by the Senate State Government Committee.
The legislation, sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-30), was introduced to remedy a shortcoming in the current system that became apparent following a disabling attack on a nurse by a patient at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital. The nurse sustained a serious and disabling head injury as a result of the attack, but has been unable to collect PERS accidental disability benefits due to her classification as a temporary employee at the time of the assault. Although her employment classification has since changed to permanent, she remains ineligible to collect the added benefit and only remains eligible for workers compensation.
“A nurse was assaulted while serving as a temporary employee in one of the most difficult and demanding environments in New Jersey, but remains ineligible for PERS disability benefits,” said Singer. “We must ensure that those who serve in tough jobs in our prisons and psychiatric hospitals receive the protections they deserve.”
The measure would require that a traumatic event occur while in the performance of an employee’s regular or assigned duties at Trenton State Hospital, any other State psychiatric institution or any State correctional facility, and further requires that the event occur while the person is classified as a temporary employee.
“Temporary employees working in dangerous environments can certainly suffer permanent disabilities as a result of their duties,” added Singer. “Although jobs in our prisons and psychiatric hospitals may not be glamorous, they are necessary. Workers must know that regardless of their employment classification, they will be taken care of should they be injured while performing their jobs.”
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