By C1 Staff
TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill into law Monday providing corrections officers with full coverage if they’re seriously injured while on duty.
The bill provides sick leave pay for corrections, juvenile, parole and probation officers if they’re attacked by an inmate or injured on the job, The Trentonian reported.
Before the governor signed the bill into law, corrections officers had to wait several months for workers’ compensation to come through because they were not entitled to a salary while they’re out of work.
“These officers assume a significant deal of risk every day on the job, yet they have been excluded from provisions that make compensation available to other public safety officers,” Assemblyman Dan Benson, a co-sponsor of the bill, said in a statement. “This new law is about taking action to eliminate that inconsistency so that people who put their lives on the line aren’t left helpless in the event of an attack.”
In May, Christie conditionally vetoed a sick leave bill aimed at placing a time limit on how long employees could receive benefits. He amended the bill to limit supplemental compensation for up to six months for serious injuries. According to the publication, initial pay before workers’ compensation is also limited to six months.
The new legislation provides officers with full pay until workers’ compensation arrives. Employees will be paid the difference of what workers’ compensation doesn’t cover from their full salary until they return to work. The law covers COs, Human Services police officers, state conservation officers, state park officers, campus officers, medical security officers and civilian jail employees.
“By ensuring that these officers have financial stability after an attack, we can make it clear that New Jersey supports these vital professions and remove a deterrent to entering or staying in that line of work,” Assemblywoman Liz Muoio said in a statement.
The bill takes effect in October.