Some New Jersey legislators want to exclude undocumented immigrants from workers’ comp benefits, a move that could create serious administrative complications for providers who treat injured workers.

If Senate Bill 1521 passes, a New Jersey provider who treats an injured worker may find themselves in a battle for reimbursement. If the payer claims that the injured worker was not lawfully present in the US at the time of the injury, the provider may become collateral damage in the ensuing fight over who is liable to pay for treatment.

Like a similar bill in Florida, this attempt to punish employers who hire undocumented workers could make it even more financially risky for providers to accept workers’ comp patients.