SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2070

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 17, 2024

      The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 2070.

     As amended by the committee, this bill permits a member of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to purchase credit for service as a class two special law enforcement officer with a public employer in this State, rendered prior to becoming a member.  The member may purchase credit for all or a portion of the service, including time taken during such public employment to complete a basic police training course required for that employment.

     The member will be required to pay both the member’s and employer’s share of the cost for the purchase.

     The process and cost for the purchase will be the same as the current process and cost for purchase of service in federal employment or with the United States military except as otherwise provided.

     Purchase of credit for service as a class two special law enforcement officer will be permitted only if the break between service as such an officer and the date of their enrollment in the PFRS is less than 365 days.  Members of the retirement system who are enrolled on the effective date of this bill will have only one year from that effective date to apply for such a purchase. The bill requires the board of trustees to notify all members of the retirement system of the provisions of this bill.

     A class two special law enforcement officer is required to complete a course approved by the Police Training Commission. They are trained in physical fitness, criminal law, patrol concepts, firearms, vehicle operations, defensive tactics, handcuffing, and arrest, search, and seizure.  They have similar powers to that of full-time police officers but on a restricted basis.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments:

      (1) permit the purchase of service credit for time taken during such public employment to complete a basic police training course required for that employment;

      (2) change the basis for eligibility to purchase service credit for class two special law enforcement officers to be based upon the date of their enrollment in the retirement system, rather than their appointment to a position covered by the system;

      (3) increase the break in service time period, from “is less than 120 days” to “is less than 365 days;” and

      (4) require the board of trustees of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System to notify all members of the retirement system of the provisions of this bill.