NJ A3504

Establishes the Health Care Workers COVID-19 Supplemental Benefits Program to provide supplemental workers' compensation benefits to healthcare workers who contracted COVID-19 on the job, bringing their total weekly compensation to 100% of wages (capped at $1,800/week) for up to 180 weeks

Appropriates $30 million from the federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (American Rescue Plan Act) to the Second Injury Fund to pay for the program, with up to 2.5% allowed for administrative costs

Creates a 12-member advisory council including representatives from six healthcare worker unions, three state commissioners, and two public members to advise on program administration and issue annual reports

Requires claims to be filed within two years after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency declared in Executive Order 103 of 2020, with benefits awarded retroactively if approved

Supplemental benefits will not affect employers' experience modification ratings or the annual surcharge on policyholders and self-insured employers for the Second Injury Fund