NJ S1521

Amends New Jersey workers' compensation law to exclude workers from coverage who are undocumented immigrants, unless they were lawfully admitted for permanent residence, lawfully present for the purpose of employment, or permanently residing under color of law at the time of employment

Bars undocumented immigrants from receiving temporary disability benefits if they would be ineligible for unemployment compensation benefits under existing state law

Responds to the 1991 New Jersey Appellate Division ruling in Mateo Coria v. Board of Review and National Fence Systems, which held that temporary disability law does not disqualify individuals based on immigration status

Sponsored by Senators Carmen F. Amato, Jr. (District 9) and Douglas J. Steinhardt (District 23) and pre-filed for introduction in the 2026 legislative session