New Jersey Senate Bill S2172

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/22
• Refer: 3/7/22

Caption

Provides same military service credit for compensation purposes to noncertificated employees of school districts that is provided to certificated employees under current law.

Impact

The bill outlines that noncertificated school district employees with active military service entitlement would receive equivalent years of employment credit as if they were employed during that time in the school district. However, the credit for military service must not exceed four employment or adjustment increments. This change is intended to ensure that such employees are recognized for their service and rewarded in terms of compensation adjustments, similarly to their certificated counterparts, thus promoting equity within the school district employee compensation framework.

Summary

Bill S2172, introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, aims to amend current statutes regarding military service credit for school district employees. This legislation seeks to extend the same military service credit that certificated employees receive to noncertificated employees who are hired on or after the effective date of the act. Noncertificated employees include various staff members in school districts who are not part of the teaching staff yet contribute significantly to the educational environment.

Contention

While S2172 seems largely beneficial in providing equal benefits to noncertificated employees, there may be concerns regarding the budgetary impacts on school districts. Additionally, the bill stipulates that the service credit shall not reduce employment increments that employees may be entitled to under existing laws or regulations concerning leaves of absence. This may raise questions about how such credits will be administered and the potential implications for future budgeting and district employment policies.