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Bill > S2770
NJ S2770
NJ S2770Provides for accidental death benefit if death of TPAF member is caused by COVID-19.
summary
Introduced
02/15/2024
02/15/2024
In Committee
02/15/2024
02/15/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill provides for an accidental death benefit when a member of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund dies as a result of COVID -19. Under this bill, a member whose death is attributable to COVID-19, complications therefrom, or the aggravation or acceleration of a preexisting condition caused thereby will be deemed to have occurred as the result of an accident met in the actual performance of duty at some definite time and place if: the member contracted COVID-19 during the public health emergency in the State declared by the Governor in Executive Order No. 103 of 2020 and as extended; the member dies as a result of COVID-19; and the member's regular or assigned duties required the member to interact, and the member so interacted, with the public, other employee, students, or parents, or to directly supervise other personnel so interacting with the public, other employees, students or parents, on any date during the public health emergency in the State declared by the Governor in Executive Order No. 103 of 2020 and as extended within 14 calendar days prior to the appearance of symptoms consistent with COVID-19 that shall have been confirmed in writing by a licensed health care provider. If a member dies during the public health emergency in the State declared by the Governor in Executive Order No. 103 of 2020 and as extended and a beneficiary has received approvals for a benefit prior to the effective date of this bill, the beneficiary may apply for a benefit pursuant to this bill and, if approved, the prior approvals will be rescinded and the benefit pursuant to this bill will be made retroactive to the date of the rescinded initial approvals. A person approved pursuant to this bill to receive an accidental death benefit will be entitled to receive health care benefits coverage for that person and any dependents through the School Employees' Health Benefits Program and the full cost of such coverage will be paid by the State for five years following the date of enrollment in the program. This section will not apply to any member who retired and subsequently returned to employment pursuant to a provision of law, or pursuant to Executive Order No. 115 of 2020, permitting a retired member to return to employment without reenrollment.
AI Summary
This bill provides for an accidental death benefit for members of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) whose deaths are caused by COVID-19, including complications or the worsening of pre-existing conditions due to the virus. To qualify, the member must have contracted COVID-19 during the state's declared public health emergency (initiated by Executive Order No. 103 of 2020), died from the virus, and their job duties required them to interact with the public, students, or other employees within 14 days before developing symptoms, which must be confirmed by a healthcare provider. This provision aims to treat such deaths as an accident occurring during the performance of duty, simplifying the benefit application process by waiving the need for a formal accident report. If a beneficiary had already received a benefit approval before this bill's enactment, they can apply for this new benefit, and if approved, their previous approval will be canceled, and the new benefit will be applied retroactively. Those approved for this accidental death benefit will also receive health care coverage through the School Employees' Health Benefits Program for themselves and their dependents, with the State covering the full cost for five years, unless the member had retired and returned to work under specific provisions that did not require re-enrollment. The bill takes effect immediately and is retroactive to March 9, 2020.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 02/15/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S2770 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3000/2770_I1.HTM |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S3000/2770_I1.HTM |
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