Christie Vetoes Bill to Provide Full-Pay Benefits to Corrections Officers
Tuesday, May 2, 2017 | 0
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Monday vetoed legislation that would have paid corrections officers full pay while recovering from workplace assaults, but suggested changes that would gain his support.
Christie signed a conditional veto to Senate Bill 596, by Sen. Sandra Cunningham, D-Jersey City, and its companion measure, Assembly Bill 3422, by Daniel R. Benson, D-Mercer. The conditional veto allows the Legislature to pass an amended version of the bill before the end of this year’s session, according to a report by NJ.com.
The legislation would have required the state and local governments to pay corrections officers, juvenile-corrections officers and juvenile-detention officers to receive full wages while recovering from bodily injury as the result of a riot or assault by inmates or detainees; to parole officers injured by an assault by a parolee under their supervision; state Human Services police officers; conservation officers; and park officers assaulted by persons in custody.
Christie suggested in his conditional veto message that benefits be limited to “serious injuries” and capped at six months, citing “fiscal responsibility.” The Office of Legislative Services estimated that the bill would increase state expenditures by $450,000 to $675,000 annually.
Brian Renshaw, president of corrections officers union PBA 105, said in a statement that he hopes the Legislature will accept the governor’s changes.
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