[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 1627

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

218th LEGISLATURE

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2018 SESSION

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  HOLLY T. SCHEPISI

District 39 (Bergen and Passaic)

Assemblyman  ANTHONY M. BUCCO

District 25 (Morris and Somerset)

Assemblyman  ROBERT AUTH

District 39 (Bergen and Passaic)

Assemblyman  JOE DANIELSEN

District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset)

Assemblyman  JOHN DIMAIO

District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren)

Senator  PAUL A. SARLO

District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)

Senator  THOMAS H. KEAN, JR.

District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Space, Assemblywoman N.Munoz, Assemblyman Johnson, Assemblywoman Chaparro, Assemblymen Harold J. Wirths, Calabrese, Assemblywomen DiMaso, Murphy, Assemblymen Gusciora, Rooney, Tully, Assemblywomen Swain, Pinkin, Senators Corrado, Oroho, Pennacchio, A.R.Bucco and Singleton

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Provides that PERS or PFRS member who continues to be volunteer firefighter or emergency services worker after retirement with employer from whom member retires has bona fide severance for compliance with State and federal law.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As amended by the Senate on June 21, 2018.

 


An Act concerning retirement from employment covered by the Public Employees’ Retirement System and the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System, and supplementing P.L.1954, c.84 (C.43:15A-1 et seq.) and P.L.1944, c.255 (C.43:16A-1 et seq.).

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

      1.   The retirement of a member of the Public Employees’ Retirement System, established pursuant to P.L.1954, c.84 (C.43:15A-1 et seq.), who (1) on the date of retirement has attained the service retirement age applicable to that member and is a volunteer firefighter or first aid worker, rescue squad worker, or emergency medical technician serving as a volunteer 1[with the same employer from whose employment the member retires] in the same jurisdiction1; and (2) remains a volunteer firefighter or first aid worker, rescue squad worker, or emergency medical technician serving as a volunteer after the date of retirement 1as long as the employee’s job duties were substantially different or, if the employee’s job duties were similar, the employee has a break in service of at least 30 days after retirement1, shall be a bona fide severance from employment, notwithstanding that the retired employee maintains the relationship of a volunteer firefighter or first aid worker, rescue squad worker, or emergency medical technician serving as a volunteer with the same employer from whose employment the member retired.  This act shall be effective if the qualified status of the retirement system under federal law can be maintained upon its application, and such modifications to the system as may be available shall be made to allow for its application.

      Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, the provisions of this section shall not be construed to permit a paid firefighter employed by a part-paid fire department to serve as a volunteer with the department from which the paid firefighter retired. 

 

      2.   The retirement of a member of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System, established pursuant to P.L.1944, c.255 (C.43:16A-1 et seq.), who (1) on the date of retirement has attained the service retirement age applicable to that member and is a volunteer firefighter or first aid worker, rescue squad worker, or emergency medical technician serving as a volunteer 1[with the same employer from whose employment the member retires] in the same jurisdiction1; and (2) remains a volunteer firefighter or first aid worker, rescue squad worker, or emergency medical technician serving as a volunteer after the date of retirement 1as long as the employee’s job duties were substantially different or, if the employee’s job duties were similar, the employee has a break in service of at least 30 days after retirement1, shall be a bona fide severance from employment, notwithstanding that the retired employee maintains the relationship of a volunteer firefighter or first aid worker, rescue squad worker, or emergency medical technician serving as a volunteer with the same employer from whose employment the member retired.  This act shall be effective if the qualified status of the retirement system under federal law can be maintained upon its application, and such modifications to the system as may be available shall be made to allow for its application.

        Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, the provisions of this section shall not be construed to permit a paid firefighter employed by a part-paid fire department to serve as a volunteer with the department from which the paid firefighter retired.

 

     3.    This act shall take effect immediately.