The bill amends existing laws to require that Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) in New Jersey be enrolled in the Workers Compensation Judges Part of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It modifies Section 2 of P.L. 2007, c.92 to include ALJs within the definition of eligible participants in the retirement program, ensuring they receive similar retirement benefits as Workers' Compensation Judges. Additionally, the bill updates Section 7 of P.L. 1954, c.84 to explicitly recognize ALJs as members of PERS, thereby granting them the same retirement benefits as other public employees. The amendments aim to enhance the retirement security of ALJs and align their benefits with those of their counterparts in the workers' compensation system.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that ALJs currently in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) be transferred to the new retirement system within 90 days of enactment, with their service credit recognized for health care benefits in retirement. It establishes survivor benefits for the families of deceased judges, provisions for purchasing prior service credit, and outlines the funding mechanisms for unfunded liabilities, specifying that the State General Fund will cover those associated with administrative law judges. Overall, the bill seeks to improve the retirement benefits and security for ALJs, ensuring they are treated equitably with 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