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Bill > A690


NJ A690

NJ A690
Restricts use of accumulated sick leave by public employees in year prior to retirement.


summary

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

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill prohibits the use of six or more consecutive days of accumulated sick leave by a public officer or employee in the twelve months prior to retirement without a medical necessity verified in writing by a physician. This bill seeks to end a practice known as "terminal leave" when a public employee, in anticipation of retirement, is permitted to use up accumulated days of sick leave. The bill requires the State, political subdivisions of the State, and boards of education to promulgate rules and procedures to ensure that verification of medical necessity is provided. Under the rules, the employer could require the officer or employee to submit to an examination by a physician selected by the employer to verify the medical necessity. For a violation of this prohibition, the employer would (1) impose a fine and issue a reprimand against the officer or employee, with the fine to be an amount equivalent to three days compensation for each day of violation, or (2) for a second violation of the prohibition deduct all sick leave found to have been used in violation of this prohibition from the number of unused accumulated sick leave credited on the effective date of retirement upon which supplemental compensation, if any, for the officer or employee at the time of retirement is calculated, or (3) both.

AI Summary

This bill prohibits public employees from using six or more consecutive days of accumulated sick leave in the twelve months before retiring, unless they have a documented medical necessity from a physician, aiming to prevent the practice of "terminal leave" where employees use up their sick days before leaving. The bill requires employers, including the State, local governments, and school boards, to establish procedures for verifying medical necessity, which may include requiring employees to undergo an examination by a doctor chosen by the employer. Violators face penalties such as a fine equivalent to three days' pay for each day of misuse, a reprimand, or the deduction of improperly used sick leave from their retirement calculations, or both. However, this prohibition does not override existing collective bargaining agreements or individual contracts in effect on the bill's effective date that address discipline or retirement compensation for unused sick leave.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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