TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo, Chairman of the Senate Labor Committee, today said the panel would schedule a special hearing May 5 on the workers’ compensation system in New Jersey.
“It’s appropriate to take a close look at the workers’ compensation system to see whether it can be made more efficient,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “The recent media focus on the system gives us a chance to see if we can make it a better, fairer program so nobody falls through the cracks.”
Senator Sarlo said he has received confirmation that State Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner David J. Socolow will testify about the system and respond to any questions raised by a recent series of articles in The Star-Ledger. Others will be invited to present testimony before the panel, the Chairman said.
“Supporters of the current workers’ comp system maintain that it is working well, but critics claim it needs an overhaul,” Senator Sarlo said. “The hearing will give us a chance to find the best approach for moving forward on behalf of employers and workers alike.”
Senator Sarlo said he expects the hearing to be held at 1 p.m. on May 5th in Committee Room 10 of the State House Annex.