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NJSBA Advocating for Profession, Public

By NJSBA Staff posted 03-27-2020 12:43 PM

  

The New Jersey State Bar Association has reached out to government officials on a number of critical issues facing the legal profession and the state’s residents.

NJSBA Urges Division of Workers' Compensation to Resume Hearing Emergent Matters

The NJSBA asked the state's labor commissioner and chief judge of the Division of Workers' Compensation to resume hearing cases to ensure that New Jersey’s injured workers continue to receive their statutory benefits in a time of financial stress, just as other litigants’ rights continue to be met in the superior courts.

Officials at the Division of Workers’ Compensation said they are working on a plan to reopen to handle limited matters. The NJSBA will share details as soon as they are available.

Association Tells Officials Newark and Elizabeth Immigration Courts Should Close

In a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy, the NJSBA called for immediate closure of New Jersey immigration courts. The letter calls for a short-term closure to ensure anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19 does not spread the virus, even unwittingly, to "protect the health and safety of the individuals who are housed there, who work there, and who must report there, as well as the public at large." The letter was was also sent to U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker. Read it here.

Remote Notary Should be Permitted in Limited Circumstances
The NJSBA reached out to leaders in Trenton to request their immediate attention to ensure legislation that would permit remote notarization in limited circumstances.

On A3903, the NJSBA asked that legislators expand the bill to permit any individual who is authorized to administer oaths and affidavits and to permit the use of remote notaries for the creation and execution of wills and codicils.

NJSBA Asks Officials to Address Tax Issues 

The Association wrote to officials in the state’s capitol asking that legislation extending the deadline for filing New Jersey income tax returns to June 30 also allows for an extension of time to make income tax payments and estimated first quarter 2020 payments.  

In addition to requesting clarifying language in A3841, the NJSBA also recommended that the legislators consider extensions of state tax-related deadlines in other areas including the State Uniform Tax Act, the Sales and Use Tax Act and the New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act.

 

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