Bill Text: NJ A1627 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Provides that PERS or PFRS member who continues to be volunteer firefighter or emergency services worker after retirement with employer from whom member retires has bona fide severance for compliance with State and federal law.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2018-08-17 - Approved P.L.2018, c.96. [A1627 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A1627-Amended.html
ASSEMBLY, No. 1627
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
218th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2018 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman HOLLY T. SCHEPISI
District 39 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman ANTHONY M. BUCCO
District 25 (Morris and Somerset)
Assemblyman ROBERT AUTH
District 39 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman JOE DANIELSEN
District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset)
Assemblyman JOHN DIMAIO
District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Space, Assemblywoman N.Munoz, Assemblyman Johnson, Assemblywoman Chaparro, Assemblymen Harold J. Wirths, Calabrese, Assemblywomen DiMaso, Murphy, Assemblymen Gusciora and Rooney
SYNOPSIS
Provides that PERS or PFRS member who continues to be volunteer firefighter or emergency services worker after retirement with employer from whom member retires has bona fide severance for compliance with State and federal law.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As amended by the Senate on June 21, 2018.
An Act concerning retirement from employment covered by the Public Employees' Retirement System and the Police and Firemen's Retirement System, and supplementing P.L.1954, c.84 (C.43:15A-1 et seq.) and P.L.1944, c.255 (C.43:16A-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The retirement of a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System, established pursuant to P.L.1954, c.84 (C.43:15A-1 et seq.), who (1) on the date of retirement has attained the service retirement age applicable to that member and is a volunteer firefighter or first aid worker, rescue squad worker, or emergency medical technician serving as a volunteer 1[with the same employer from whose employment the member retires] in the same jurisdiction1; and (2) remains a volunteer firefighter or first aid worker, rescue squad worker, or emergency medical technician serving as a volunteer after the date of retirement 1as long as the employee's job duties were substantially different or, if the employee's job duties were similar, the employee has a break in service of at least 30 days after retirement1, shall be a bona fide severance from employment, notwithstanding that the retired employee maintains the relationship of a volunteer firefighter or first aid worker, rescue squad worker, or emergency medical technician serving as a volunteer with the same employer from whose employment the member retired. This act shall be effective if the qualified status of the retirement system under federal law can be maintained upon its application, and such modifications to the system as may be available shall be made to allow for its application.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, the provisions of this section shall not be construed to permit a paid firefighter employed by a part-paid fire department to serve as a volunteer with the department from which the paid firefighter retired.
2. The retirement of a member of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System, established pursuant to P.L.1944, c.255 (C.43:16A-1 et seq.), who (1) on the date of retirement has attained the service retirement age applicable to that member and is a volunteer firefighter or first aid worker, rescue squad worker, or emergency medical technician serving as a volunteer 1[with the same employer from whose employment the member retires] in the same jurisdiction1; and (2) remains a volunteer firefighter or first aid worker, rescue squad worker, or emergency medical technician serving as a volunteer after the date of retirement 1as long as the employee's job duties were substantially different or, if the employee's job duties were similar, the employee has a break in service of at least 30 days after retirement1, shall be a bona fide severance from employment, notwithstanding that the retired employee maintains the relationship of a volunteer firefighter or first aid worker, rescue squad worker, or emergency medical technician serving as a volunteer with the same employer from whose employment the member retired. This act shall be effective if the qualified status of the retirement system under federal law can be maintained upon its application, and such modifications to the system as may be available shall be made to allow for its application.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, the provisions of this section shall not be construed to permit a paid firefighter employed by a part-paid fire department to serve as a volunteer with the department from which the paid firefighter retired.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.