The Justice for Firefighter Patrick Thomas Act establishes that individuals convicted of certain crimes or offenses will be ineligible for appointment to positions covered by the Civil Service in New Jersey and will lose any pension and benefits associated with those positions. Specifically, the act mandates that any person holding a Civil Service position who is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to specified crimes will be immediately terminated from their position and deemed ineligible for future appointments. The crimes listed include various offenses related to discrimination, domestic violence, bribery, theft, and misconduct, among others. The Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, in consultation with the Attorney General, is tasked with adopting necessary rules and regulations to implement the act.

Additionally, the act outlines the process for employment termination and pension forfeiture, which must occur immediately upon a finding of guilt or a guilty plea, unless a court orders a stay for good cause. The act also allows for the forfeiture of pension benefits for individuals deemed ineligible due to their convictions, ensuring that such forfeiture applies to both current members and retirees of the pension system. The bill emphasizes that the Civil Service Commission retains the authority to declare ineligibility for appointments, even in cases where a court does not issue an order of termination.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43:1-3.1