This bill amends the definition of "law enforcement officer" within the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) to include a broader range of positions. New titles added to this definition include various ranks within county corrections, county police departments, State corrections officers, sheriffs corrections police, Burlington County Bridge Commission police, Cherry Hill campus police, as well as permanent and full-time firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and public safety dispatchers employed by various governmental entities. Members who are currently employed in these newly defined positions and were enrolled in PERS prior to the bill's effective date will be automatically enrolled in the law enforcement officer category, granting them access to enhanced retirement benefits unless they opt out.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new hiring restriction, prohibiting the appointment of individuals over the age of 35 to positions eligible for enrollment in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). This age limit does not affect the employment status of individuals already in these positions prior to the bill's enactment. The bill aims to expand the benefits available to a wider array of public safety employees while also setting age-related hiring criteria for certain positions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43:15A-97