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Bill > S1148
NJ S1148
NJ S1148Requires public officer or employee forfeit pension upon conviction of certain crimes; alters factors determining honorable service; opens pension to garnishment upon conviction of certain offenses.
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 would change the factors to be considered by the boards of State or locally administered retirement systems hearing pension forfeiture cases concerning public employees. It would emphasize the nature of the misconduct, the relationship between the misconduct and the person's public duties, and the person's moral turpitude, and require the board to direct the person's entire pension be forfeited based on these factors. Additional factors may only be used subsequently to mitigate this full forfeiture to a partial forfeiture. Where a forfeiture is warranted, this bill requires that the person receive a refund of their contributions, but allows for the board to determine whether that refund is with or without any accrued interest. This bill would require the forfeiture of the pension or retirement benefit of a person if the person is convicted of any crime of the first or second degree, or the equivalent under the laws of another state or of the United States, when the offense is related to the person's performance in or circumstances flowing from the public office or employment held by the person. This bill also specifies that pension forfeiture applies in cases that result in qualifying guilty or nolo contendere pleas, in addition to convictions. This bill would also open a person's public pension to garnishment in order to fulfill court ordered restitution of public funds when a person has been convicted of, or plead guilty or nolo contendere to, certain offenses.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that public officers or employees convicted of certain crimes related to their public service will forfeit their pensions, with the forfeiture being based primarily on the nature of the misconduct, its connection to their duties, and the degree of moral turpitude involved, though other factors can be considered for partial forfeiture. It also specifies that a guilty plea or a plea of "nolo contendere" (meaning not admitting guilt but accepting the conviction) will trigger this forfeiture, and while a refund of contributions is guaranteed, the inclusion of accrued interest is at the discretion of the pension board. Furthermore, this bill allows for public pensions to be garnished to repay stolen or misused public funds if the individual is convicted of or pleads guilty to offenses involving theft or misuse of public funds, or related attempts or conspiracies.
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/S1148 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1500/1148_I1.HTM |
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