NJ Gov. Phil Murphy Signs 4 Bills Into Law That Could Save Lives

Gov. Phil Murphy has signed four bills into law that are supposed to protect first responders and help people who struggle when the power goes out.

Murphy signed A4882 and S716 into law on Monday, both of which are intended to enhance protections for first responders, including those who volunteered for 9/11 rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts at World Trade Center sites.

Murphy also has signed A4430 and A4555, also known as “Linda’s Law,” which will require electric public utility companies to verify with all residential customers whether anyone at the residence uses life-sustaining equipment powered by electricity.

A4882, also known as “the Bill Ricci World Trade Center Rescue, Recovery, and Cleanup Operations Act,” is named after Lt. Bill Ricci, a professional firefighter in Clifton who volunteered to serve at Ground Zero after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

Ricci was ineligible for an accidental disability retirement under previously existing law. However, through this act, members and retirees who volunteered for 9/11 rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations, like Ricci, will be eligible to receive accidental disability retirement, Murphy said.

This act will also create an exception to the normal five-year filing requirement for 9/11-related operations.

S716, also known as “the Thomas P. Canzanella First Century First Responders Protection Act,” is named after Deputy Chief Thomas P. Canzanella, a former Hackensack firefighter and advocate who served at Ground Zero after 9/11. Canzanella, who was an IAFF state representative, passed away from a heart attack at the age of 50, Murphy said.

Under previously existing law, first responders and firefighters had the burden of proving causation for their illnesses, which often required a significant expense of time and resources, Murphy said. This new law reforms New Jersey’s workers’ compensation law to create a rebuttable presumption of coverage for public safety workers for certain illnesses.

“Thousands of courageous volunteers put their lives on the line in order to save those affected by the devastation of 9/11,” said Murphy. “We will never forget their selfless acts of heroism, just as we will always be grateful for the first responders who put their lives on the line for us every day. Today we send a clear message to all of our heroes: We have your back. I am proud to sign legislation that will ensure the health benefits and compensation that these incredible men and women deserve.”

Murphy signed the bill during a ceremony attended by first reponders and the families of those who passed away.

“My family is so honored and so grateful to stand here today. It’s been a very long 12 years without him but to see that this work is going to help so many people is just so powerful,” said Allison Canzanella. “And, I’m just so proud to be his daughter every single day. Thank you.”

Primary sponsors of S716, also known as, “the Thomas P. Canzanella First Century First Responders Protection Act,” include Senators Linda Greenstein, Christopher Bateman, and Joseph Lagana, and Assemblymembers Anette Quijano, Daniel Benson, and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson.

The power-outage legislation is in response to the death of Linda Daniels, a resident of Newark who lost her life when her oxygen tank lost power after her electricity was shut off.

Linda’s Law will prohibit electric public utilities from discontinuing service for 90 days due to nonpayment for medical customers who rely on electric-powered medical equipment to survive. Utilities shall request information as to whether any residential customer qualifies as a medical customer on a semi-annual basis.

“No one should fear losing their life because their electricity bill is a few days overdue,” said Murphy. “Linda’s Law will protect residents who rely upon electricity to support their medical equipment.”