The bill modifies the criteria for pension forfeiture among public officers and employees in New Jersey, mandating that individuals must forfeit their pensions upon conviction of specific crimes that are deemed to render their service dishonorable. It empowers the board of trustees of pension funds to determine forfeiture based on the nature of the crime, its connection to public duties, and the individual's moral culpability, while also allowing for mitigating factors such as length of service and employment history. The legislation expands the list of offenses that can trigger pension forfeiture and requires immediate forfeiture upon a guilty finding or plea, unless a stay is granted for good cause.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for the garnishment of pensions in cases involving theft or misuse of public funds, clarifying that individuals found to have served dishonorably will receive a refund of their contributions, with the board having discretion over the inclusion of accrued interest. It emphasizes the importance of evaluating the nature of misconduct and its relation to public duties in determining pension forfeiture, allowing for full or partial forfeiture based on these considerations. The bill also broadens the scope of pension forfeiture to include guilty or nolo contendere pleas, thereby increasing the circumstances under which public employees may lose their pension benefits.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43:1-3, 43:1-3.1, 43:6A-41, 43:15A-53, 43:16A-17, 53:5A-45