ASSEMBLY LABOR COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1657

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: SEPTEMBER 19, 1996

      The Assembly Labor Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 1657.

      This bill establishes a Task Force on Workplace Violence composed of the Commissioners of Labor and Health, the Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation, and one representative of the business community and one representative of organized labor to be appointed by the Governor.

      The duty of the task force is to study the frequency, consequences of, and most effective means to reduce, workplace violence. The task force is required to issue a report not later than 180 days after the effective date of the bill. The report will contain: (1) A review of the incidence of workplace violence, based on data obtained from federal, State and local health, labor and law enforcement agencies; (2) An analysis of the types of businesses, employees and situations associated with or subject to the greatest occurrences of workplace violence; and (3) Recommendations concerning laws, regulations or incentives necessary for greater workplace security and employee protection, including any appropriate draft legislation.