The Senate and Assembly today passed legislation unanimously to provide enhanced mental health coverage in workers compensation for law enforcement officers and other pubic safety professionals.

Assembly Bill 5792 (Freiman)/Senate Bill 4590 (Lagana) provides for up to 12 hours of paid confidential counseling under workers compensation for a first responder who experiences a critical incident in the course of their duties. The officer would not be required to use their own sick leave or vacation time to seek counseling under the bill. The legislation also changes the law to allow an officer to select their own therapist. This is a critical change to the law to ensure an officer can select a therapist with whom they have a level of trust and not one thrust upon them by workers comp.

In addition, the legislation provides for confidentiality in communication between a law enforcement officer and a member of the PBA peer counseling team or an “RPO” who is trained by a culturally competent mental health professional. This will ensure that the members of the PBA Peer Counseling team can privately work with our members who need mental health assistance without fear of interference by their employer.

This bill was a major priority for the State PBA in order to address the continued epidemic of officer suicide in New Jersey. The State PBA is grateful to our prime bill sponsors Assemblyman Freiman, Assemblywoman Drulis, Assemblyman Hutchison, Senator Lagana, Senate President Scutari and all of the co-sponsors. We appreciate that Speaker Coughlin and Senate President Scutari fast tracked the bill before the Legislative summer recess. 

The bill is now on the Governor’s desk for his consideration. We are already working with the Governor’s staff to discuss a bill signing. 

Building on the State PBA’s leadership promoting treatment and peer counseling for officers in need of mental health support legislation was recently released unanimously from the Assembly Labor Committee to require workers comp coverage for officers facing post-traumatic stress.

Assembly Bill 5792 not only requires 12 weeks of paid counseling, but it corrects a failure in the workers comp system in NJ by now permitting an officer to select their own therapist as opposed to one chosen by their employer.

In addition, A5792 provides confidentiality for peer counseling performed by trained officers for their communication with fellow officers in need of mental health support.

The State PBA is grateful to Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-16) for his sponsorship and to Speaker Coughlin for prioritizing the bill during the busy Budget season. We are looking forward to seeing the bill posted for a vote in the Assembly and for the Senate to move its version, S4590, in the next few weeks.

Last night’s rebranded Sip & Smoke, formally known as simply the Cigar Night at Crystal Springs Resort, was a huge success! Held just steps from the Atlantic Ocean at the stunning Proving Ground in Highlands, the evening had it all, from perfect weather, the smell of salt air, amazing food, premium cigars, and a crowd full of camaraderie.

Most importantly, every dollar raised goes to our Survivor & Welfare Fund, supporting the families of those who gave everything in the line of duty.

Thank you to everyone who came out, shared a smoke, a sip, and helped make a difference.

Today in Trenton: NJ State PBA Takes a Stand for Affordable Healthcare

Numerous PBA Members joined Executive Director Kevin Lyons and our brothers and sisters from 32BJ SEIU at the Statehouse for Lobby Day, where we met directly with legislators to make our voices heard.

We’re advocating for the passage of A5376/S4299, the Health Care Accountability Law, a critical step toward more affordable healthcare for our members and all New Jerseyans.

This legislation would put healthcare entities on a spending budget, create an independent watchdog commission, rein in rising hospital costs and build on the foundation laid by the Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency.

We’re proud to stand united in support of real, lasting healthcare reform!