New Jersey

NJ Enacts Legislation Aimed at Helping 9/11 First Responders

One measure permits volunteer first responders to qualify for disability pensions when they retire

What to Know

  • New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed legislation aimed at helping first responders to the Sept. 11 attacks
  • One measure permits volunteer first responders to qualify for disability pensions when they retire
  • Another measure makes it easier for first responders to get workers' compensation by removing the burden of proving the cause of an illness

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed legislation aimed at helping first responders to the Sept. 11 attacks.

The Democrat signed the bills Monday at Liberty State Park, across the Hudson River from the site of the 2001 attacks.

One measure permits volunteer first responders to qualify for disability pensions when they retire. It's aimed at helping those who were not on duty but who helped after the World Trade Center towers fell.

A legislative estimate says it's unclear how much the change would cost. It depends on how many retirees apply, and the estimate doesn't specify a possible number.

The other measure makes it easier for first responders to get workers' compensation by removing the burden of proving the cause of an illness in certain cases.

A prosecutor says a burning charcoal grill caused the deaths of a woman and three children whose bodies were found in a car in upstate New York.

Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick tells the Syracuse Post-Standard the apparent murder-suicide was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning from charcoal burning in the car's trunk. Fitzpatrick says the children were 3, 7 and 8 years old.

Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner says the driver of a tow truck called to remove an overdue ride-share car from a driveway Sunday afternoon discovered the dead woman and children inside and called 911.

Names of the victims have not been released

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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