The bill amends existing laws to include Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) in the Workers Compensation Judges Part of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), which was previously exclusive to Workers Compensation Judges. It requires that all ALJs enrolled after the bill's effective date participate in this retirement system, transitioning from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to PERS. Current DCRP participants will be transferred to the new retirement system within 90 days of enactment, receiving service credit for their time served in the DCRP.

Additionally, the bill outlines various benefits related to retirement and survivor benefits for both Workers Compensation Judges and ALJs, including survivor benefits for widows and children upon a judge's death, conditions for purchasing credit for previous service, and the management of unfunded accrued liabilities. The State General Fund will cover the unfunded liabilities associated with the benefits provided to ALJs under this new structure. Overall, the bill aims to enhance retirement benefits for ALJs and align their status with that of Workers Compensation Judges.

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