Rep. Dennis Roch

STATE News:

SANTA FE – In order to hold people accountable for their actions in the workplace, Rep. Dennis Roch has announced that he has filed legislation to significantly reduce workers’ compensation in cases when the employee’s death or injury is the result of being drunk or high on the job. 

“Being high or drunk on the job puts lives at risk,” Roch said. “This legislation will help protect our workers and hold violators accountable for their actions.”

Currently, when alcohol or drugs contributes to injury or death, the employee is eligible to receive 90 percent of his or her worker compensation. Under the new legislation, however, their worker compensation would be significantly decreased by 35 percent to 85 percent.

An overwhelming majority of New Mexicans support this type of legislation. In September, an Albuquerque Journal poll found that 67 percent of New Mexicans support reducing workers compensation when drugs or alcohol results in injury or death. The poll found that 63 percent of Democrats and 72 percent of Republicans support it.

“It is time we do what is right on behalf of both our workers and employers,” Roch said.