Bill > A5198

This bill updates New Jersey's workers' compensation law regarding how board and lodging provided by an employer are valued when calculating wage rates. Currently, board and lodging are automatically valued at $25 per week, but the bill changes this to require valuation at market value, unless a different amount is specifically agreed upon at the time of hiring. Importantly, the bill includes a provision that if an employee continues to receive board or lodging during a period of total temporary disability, the value of those provisions will not be included in calculating the workers' compensation rate for temporary total disability. This change modernizes the approach to valuing non-monetary compensation, ensuring that the true market value of board and lodging is reflected in wage calculations while providing a protection for workers who are temporarily unable to work due to a job-related injury. The bill aims to create a more accurate and fair method of determining compensation benefits by accounting for the actual value of employer-provided housing and meals.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5198