NJ S2377

Bill

Provides accidental death benefit to surviving spouse, surviving child, or surviving parent of a State Police recruit who dies during required pre-service training.

Introduced
01/13/2026

In Committee
01/13/2026

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under current law, State Police recruits are not sworn members of the New Jersey State Police until the recruits complete the required training and graduate from the New Jersey State Police Academy. As a result, the death of a recruit cannot be classified as a death of a member and, therefore, death benefits cannot be provided to the survivors. This bill classifies the death of a State Police recruit who dies during required pre-servicing training, or complications therefrom, as a death in the line of duty and provides an accidental death benefit to the surviving spouse, surviving child, or surviving parent of the State Police recruit. Under the bill, the benefit paid to the surviving spouse must be at least $50,000. The bill provides that if there is no surviving spouse, a final compensation of at least $50,000 would be used to calculate the death benefit to the surviving child or surviving parent, as the case may be.

AI Summary

This bill provides an accidental death benefit to the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a New Jersey State Police recruit who dies during required pre-service training or from complications arising from that training. Currently, recruits are not considered sworn members until they graduate, meaning their deaths are not classified as line-of-duty deaths, preventing survivor benefits. This legislation retroactively classifies such deaths as line-of-duty accidents, allowing eligible survivors to apply for benefits within 12 months of the bill's enactment. The benefit for a surviving spouse must be at least $50,000, and if there is no spouse, a final compensation of at least $50,000 will be used to calculate the benefit for a surviving child or parent, with specific percentages of final compensation outlined for children and parents if there is no spouse or if the spouse has also passed away.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (2)

Tony Bucco (R)*, Andrew Zwicker (D),

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S2377

(3 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S2377
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2500/2377_I1.HTM

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
A3199	Provides accidental death benefit to surviving spouse, surviving child, or surviving parent of a State Police recruit who dies during required pre-service training.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee	Carry Over
A3784	Provides accidental death benefit to surviving spouse, surviving child, or surviving parent of a State Police recruit who dies during required pre-service training.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee	Same As
S800	Provides accidental death benefit to surviving spouse, surviving child, or surviving parent of a State Police recruit who dies during required pre-service training.	Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee	Carry Over

Bill > S2377

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary