This bill establishes that public officers or employees in New Jersey who are convicted of certain crimes or found at fault in civil actions related to their office will be held financially responsible for legal expenses incurred by the state. Specifically, those convicted of crimes that relate to their public duties will owe costs to the Attorney General or relevant prosecuting authority, and if they received public legal representation, they must reimburse the public entity that covered those costs, with an exception for representation by the Office of the Public Defender unless recoverable under specific statutes. Additionally, individuals found at fault in civil matters will also be liable for the costs of their public legal representation.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the retirement benefits or pension contributions of individuals liable for these legal expenses or for judgments against them related to theft or misuse of public funds will be subject to garnishment or other legal processes to satisfy their liabilities. The Division of Pensions and Benefits is tasked with obtaining a determination from the IRS to ensure that the retirement systems remain qualified under federal law; if the IRS finds that the bill jeopardizes this status, the relevant provisions will become void.