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Bill > S1849

NJ S1849

NJ S1849
Requires PFRS enrollment to be retroactive to first date of employment for death benefit eligibility.

summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires eligible policemen and firemen to be deemed enrolled in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) retroactive to their first date of employment for the purpose of a death benefit. Under current law, eligible policemen and firemen are required to be enrolled in the PFRS as a condition of their employment. This bill provides that the death of an employee prior to enrollment in PFRS will be deemed to have occurred during active service. The bill requires that an employee's membership in PFRS is to be retroactive to the first date of their employment if they were not enrolled in PFRS at the time of their death. This will permit an employee's surviving spouse, child, or parent to collect death benefits. Additionally, if the employee died prior to the enactment of this bill, their surviving spouse, child, or parent may apply for death benefits within 12 months after the enactment of this bill.

AI Summary

This bill requires that if a police officer or firefighter (member of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System, or PFRS) dies before being officially enrolled in the PFRS, their death will be considered to have occurred while they were actively serving, and they will be treated as if they were enrolled at the time of their death. This change is intended to ensure that the surviving spouse, child, or parent of the deceased employee can receive death benefits, which are typically calculated based on the employee's final compensation. For those who died before this bill becomes law, their beneficiaries will have 12 months from the bill's enactment date to apply for these benefits, and if approved, the benefits will be retroactive to the employee's date of death.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

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

bill text

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1849
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1849_I1.HTM
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