The bill amends New Jersey law to require that Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) be enrolled in the Workers Compensation Judges Part of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), replacing their current participation in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP). This change ensures that ALJs receive retirement benefits comparable to those of Workers' Compensation Judges. The bill includes provisions for transitioning current DCRP participants to PERS within 90 days of the bill's effective date, granting service credit for time spent in the DCRP, and addressing the unfunded liabilities through appropriations from the State General Fund.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of "administrative law judges" to include various leadership roles within the Office of Administrative Law and expands the definition of "aggregate public service" to recognize service as both a workers' compensation judge and an administrative law judge. It establishes specific retirement criteria, including age and years of service requirements, and includes provisions for survivor benefits, retirement allowances, and the ability for judges to purchase credit for previous service. These amendments aim to create equitable retirement benefits for both ALJs and Workers' Compensation Judges, with the legislation set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43:15C-2, 43:15A-7, 43:15A-142, 43:15A-143, 43:15A-144, 43:15A-145, 43:15A-146, 43:15A-147, 43:15A-148, 43:15A-149, 43:15A-150, 43:15A-151, 43:15A-152, 43:15A-153, 43:15A-154