This bill amends New Jersey's laws regarding disability retirement for public employees, particularly those who have experienced disabilities due to traumatic events during their employment. It allows members under 65 to retire on an accidental disability allowance if they are permanently and totally disabled from a traumatic event that occurred during their regular duties, including voluntary duties performed outside of required hours. The bill also permits applications for retirement to be considered beyond the standard five-year filing period if there is evidence of delayed manifestation of the disability.

Additionally, the bill introduces specific provisions for members of the Division of the State Police and those who participated in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. It establishes a presumption that any qualifying health condition resulting in permanent and total disability for participants who worked at least eight hours is considered to have occurred in the line of duty, unless proven otherwise. The bill allows retirees who develop disabilities related to their participation in these operations to apply for recalculation of their retirement allowance as an accidental disability retirement allowance, provided they meet certain conditions. Members or retirees must also file a sworn statement detailing their service dates and locations to qualify for these provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43:15A-43, 43:16A-7, 53:5A-10
Advance Law: 43:15A-43, 43:16A-7, 53:5A-10
Pamphlet Law: 43:15A-43, 43:16A-7, 53:5A-10