Assembly Committee Approves Hand, Foot Benefit Improvements

A bill that would increase benefits and the duration of benefits for the loss of fingers, toes, a hand or a foot — approved by the state Senate one year ago — has now passed an Assembly committee. Senate Bill 782, identical to Assembly Bill 1110, and similar to a measure vetoed by Republican Gov. Chris Christie in 2011, was approved by the Assembly Labor Committee by a vote of 6-2 on Monday. Insurance and business groups have spoken out against the bill at committee hearings, arguing that it would add significantly to workers' compensation costs for employers and se...