2. The Legislature finds and declares that, whereas current law already requires virtually all employers to provide for the payment of workers’ compensation benefits to injured employees, because of the unique nature of the horse racing industry, difficulties have arisen in ensuring that coverage is provided to employees. For example, out-of-State horse owners are sometimes unaware of their obligation to provide such coverage, or because a jockey may ride the horses of more than one owner, there may be confusion as to who the responsible employer is. As a result, serious injuries have been sustained for which there is no coverage.

It is, therefore, in the public interest to ensure that workers’ compensation coverage is available to persons employed in the thoroughbred and standardbred horse racing industries in New Jersey by collectively securing workers’ compensation insurance coverage for certain designated horse racing industry employees who are eligible to receive that coverage pursuant to the provisions of this act, the costs of which shall be funded by the horse racing industry, and the assessments for funding that coverage shall be calculated separately for the thoroughbred and standardbred industries, based on their respective experience.

It is also in the public interest for the Legislature to provide, through this act, sufficient guidance and clarity regarding which horse racing industry employees are eligible for coverage secured by the New Jersey Horse Racing Injury Compensation Board pursuant to this act, and the circumstances that must exist for that coverage to be applicable.

L.1995, c.329, s.2; amended 2008, c.11, s.1.