NJ S1148

Public employees convicted of any first or second degree crime related to their official duties would forfeit their entire pension or retirement benefit, in addition to the existing list of specific offenses already triggering forfeiture.

Pension forfeiture hearings must primarily evaluate the nature of the misconduct, its relationship to public duties, and the degree of moral turpitude; factors like length of service and employment history may only be considered as mitigating factors for partial forfeiture.

Employees who forfeit their pensions would receive a refund of their contributions, with the retirement system board deciding whether to include accrued interest.

Public pensions would become subject to garnishment to satisfy court-ordered restitution when a member is convicted of or pleads guilty/nolo contendere to bribery, corruption, or theft/misuse of public funds, including prosecution costs.

The bill applies forfeiture provisions to guilty pleas and nolo contendere pleas, not just trial convictions, and takes effect immediately upon enactment.