NJ S131

Extends survivor's pension eligibility to widows, children, or parents of volunteer firefighters, first aid workers, rescue squad workers, and emergency medical technicians who died from COVID-19 contracted during New Jersey's 2020 public health emergency (Executive Order No. 103).

Qualifies deaths as "in the course of duty" if the volunteer tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the emergency, died from COVID-19, and had public-facing duties within 14 days before symptom onset confirmed by a healthcare provider.

Survivor's pensions are $15,000 per year for widows, with $10,000 or $5,000 amounts depending on the survivor's relationship to the deceased, paid by the State after municipal approval.

Beneficiaries of volunteers who died during the public health emergency may apply retroactively, with approved pensions backdated to the first calendar year following the volunteer's death.