New Jersey Assembly Bill A4001

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/16/22
• Refer: 5/16/22

Caption

Provides certain health care benefits to surviving dependents of accidental disability retiree who participated in 9/11 WTC rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations; clarifies eligibility criteria for recalculation of retirement allowance for such participation.

Impact

If enacted, A4001 will amend existing laws concerning the State Police Retirement System (SPRS), Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), and the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It will allow surviving spouses and dependent children of retirees who have died due to qualifying conditions related to their service during 9/11 to have access to ongoing health care benefits. This move positions the state as a comprehensive support provider for those who have sacrificed during disaster responses, ensuring that those afflicted can receive healthcare without undue financial burden.

Summary

Assembly Bill A4001 seeks to provide specific health care benefits to the surviving dependents of members from certain retirement systems who retired under an accidental disability benefit after participating in the World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. It focuses on the eligibility criteria for these dependents to secure continued health care coverage, deeming health conditions related to 9/11 operations as qualifying for retirement recalculation. The bill emphasizes the financial obligations regarding health care costs, stating that the state will bear most of the expenses, while spouses will contribute a percentage based on their retirement allowances.

Contention

The main point of contention around A4001 may stem from how the bill outlines eligibility and the costs associated with these health care benefits. While proponents argue that it is a necessary measure to care for those affected by their service at the World Trade Center, critics could raise concerns about the implications of such benefits on state budgets and the sustainability of funding for existing and future public employee healthcare provisions. Additionally, the bill's provisions for recalculating pensions could prompt discussions about fairness and eligibility requirements among similar retiree groups.