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Bill > S2544
NJ S2544
NJ S2544Provides full forfeiture of pension of elected or appointed official convicted of any crime touching office.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the board of trustees of any State or locally-administered pension fund or retirement system to order the forfeiture of all of the earned service credit or pension or other retirement benefit of any member who is convicted of a crime under the laws of this State, or of an offense under the laws of another state or the United States, for misconduct occurring during the member's service in an elective or appointive public office or position which involves or touches the office or position and renders the service dishonorable. This would apply whether or not the fund or system covered the public office or position. Current law provides for the full forfeiture of all of the pension or retirement benefit of any member, elected or appointed, convicted of certain listed crimes involving or touching the office or employment if the pension or benefit is from the system or fund which covered the office or employment involved in the offense. In addition, under current law, a board of trustees of a pension system may order the full or partial forfeiture of the pension of any member for any kind of misconduct which renders the public service dishonorable. The board considers 11 factors in its evaluation of the public service.
AI Summary
This bill expands the conditions under which elected or appointed officials convicted of crimes related to their public service will forfeit their pensions. Previously, forfeiture only applied if the pension fund covered the specific office involved in the crime, and boards of trustees had discretion to order partial or full forfeiture for dishonorable conduct. Now, the board of trustees of any state or locally-administered pension fund or retirement system must order the complete forfeiture of all earned service credit, pension, or retirement benefits for any member convicted of a crime or offense related to their public office or position, regardless of whether that specific fund covered that office. This forfeiture is mandatory if the misconduct occurred during their service and renders their service dishonorable, meaning it involves or touches their office in a way that brings shame upon it. The bill also clarifies that boards can still order partial forfeitures for other forms of misconduct that render public service dishonorable, and they must consider eleven specific factors when making these decisions, aiming to balance the goals of pension laws with the severity of the misconduct.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S2544 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3000/2544_I1.HTM |
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