SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM &
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
SENATE, No. 165
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: FEBRUARY 12, 2024
The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic
Preservation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 165.
This bill expands the definition of a child under the PFRS and
SPRS to include the child of a deceased member that is under the
age of 24 and that is enrolled in a degree program in an institution
of higher education for at least 12 credit hours in each semester.
Under current law, a person is considered a child under the PFRS
and SPRS if the person is:
(1) under the age of 18;
(2) 18 years of age or older and enrolled in a secondary school;
(3) under the age of 24 and enrolled in a degree program in an
institution of higher education for at least 12 credit hours in each
semester, provided that the member died in active service as a result
of an accident met in the actual performance of duty at some
definite time and place, and the death was not the result of the
member's willful misconduct; or
(4) any age who, at the time of the member's or retirant's death,
is disabled because of an intellectual disability or physical
incapacity, is unable to do any substantial, gainful work because of
the impairment and the impairment has lasted or can be expected to
last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as affirmed
by the medical board.
This bill would remove the requirement that if the child is under
the age of 24 and enrolled in an institution of higher education, the
child must be the survivor of a member who died in the line of duty
to be considered a child under the PFRS or SPRS. This bill would
permit any child of a deceased member that is under the age of 24
and that is enrolled in a degree program in an institution of higher
education for at least 12 credit hours in each semester to be
considered a child regardless if the member died in the line of duty
or not.
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.