NJ A3784

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 cannot be classified as a death of a member and therefor 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. On December 1, 2020, Lucas C. Homeijer, 27, of Boonton, succumbed to injuries sustained during a training exercise at the New Jersey State Police Academy. Mr. Homeijer, the son and nephew of retired troopers, was an Eagle Scout, a past attendee of Trooper Youth Week, and a member of the 161st Class of the New Jersey State Police Academy. It is the sponsor's belief that this bill will honor the commitment and sacrifices of State Police recruits who die while training to become State Troopers.

AI Summary

This bill ensures that the surviving family members of a New Jersey State Police recruit who dies during required pre-service training, or from complications related to that training, will receive accidental death benefits, even though recruits are not considered sworn members until after graduation. This change is intended to honor the sacrifices of these recruits and provides a minimum death benefit of $50,000 to a surviving spouse, or to a surviving child or parent if there is no spouse, with specific percentages of final compensation outlined for children and parents. The bill also allows for retroactive application of these benefits for deaths that occurred before the bill's enactment, provided an accident report and benefit application are filed within 12 months of the bill becoming law.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (2)

Wayne DeAngelo (D)*, Aura Dunn (R)*,

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A3784

(3 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A3784
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4000/3784_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
S2377	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	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 > A3784

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary