Drunkenness No Bar to Workers' Comp for New Mexico State Employees

Party on!

SANTA FE – Employees who injure themselves on the job while drunk or under the influence of drugs can continue to receive workers' compensation benefits because a legislative move to deny such claims has stalled.

Proponents say refusing such payouts is simple common sense.

"I believe it's a personal responsibility question," said Rep. Dennis Roch, R-Texico, after his House Bill 139 was tabled in the House Labor and Human Resources Committee on a party-line vote, with all five Democrats voting to table the bill and all four Republicans voting against.