43:8C-1 - Definitions relative to incentive programs for retirement, termination of certain employees
43:8C-1 Definitions relative to incentive programs for retirement, termination of certain employees.
1.As used in this act, unless the context indicates otherwise:
"Chief executive officer" means the mayor of a municipality, the elected county executive of a county, the director of the board of chosen freeholders in a county that does not have an elected county executive, and the chairman or other presiding officer of any other governing body.
"Consolidated municipality" or "municipal consolidation" means the resultant municipal entity created after approval and adoption of a public question in favor of consolidation pursuant to the "Municipal Consolidation Act," P.L.1977, c.435 (C.40:43-66.35 et seq.).
"Director" means the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs.
"Governing body" means the board, commission, council or other body having the control of the finances of a local unit; and in those local units in which a chief executive officer is authorized by law to participate in such control through powers of recommendation, approval or veto, the term includes such executive officer to the extent of such participation.
"Interlocal services contract" means a contract between two or more local units for the joint provision of governmental services pursuant to the "Interlocal Services Act," P.L.1973, c.208 (C.40:8A-1 et seq.).
"Joint services contract" means a contract between two or more local units to form a joint meeting for the joint provision of governmental services pursuant to the "Consolidated Municipal Service Act," P.L.1952, c.72 (C.40:48B-1 et seq.).
"Local unit" means a municipality, consolidated municipality, county, authority as defined in section 3 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-3), joint meeting or fire district.
L.1999,c.59,s.1.
43:8C-2 Implementation of incentive program.
2.A local unit entering into an interlocal services contract or a joint services contract or becoming a part of a consolidated municipality may offer and implement an incentive program for retirement or termination of employment after approval of such incentive program by the director. The program shall be limited to full-time employees in any department, office, section, or other organizational component of the local unit in which the number of employees will be reduced or which will be eliminated as a result of the interlocal services contract or joint services contract or municipal consolidation. The incentive program may include one or more of the following:
a.cash payments or the purchase of annuities;
b.employer contributions to an approved employee deferred compensation program to the extent permitted by federal law;
c.payment by the local unit for continuation of health benefits coverage after retirement for not more than five years or until the employee attains the age of eligibility for Medicare, whichever occurs first;
d.payment by the local unit for health benefits coverage after retirement under the "New Jersey State Health Benefits Program Act," P.L.1961, c.49 (C.52:14-17.25 et seq.), or under group insurance contracts pursuant to N.J.S.40A:10-23, for employees and dependents in accordance with the law and rules governing the State Health Benefits Program or the law governing such group insurance contracts, as the case may be, for employees who fail to meet the service requirement for payment for such coverage after retirement by no more than five years, but who are otherwise eligible for employer payment for health benefits coverage after retirement; or
e.additional service credit for employees who are members of the Public Employees' Retirement System of New Jersey, pursuant to P.L.1954, c.84 (C.43:15A-1 et seq.) or the Police and Firemen's Retirement System of New Jersey, pursuant to P.L.1944, c.255 (C.43:16A-1 et seq.), or a county pension fund created under P.L.1943, c.160 (C.43:10-18.1 et seq.), or a municipal retirement system created under P.L.1954, c.218 (C.43:13-22.3 et seq.) or P.L.1964, c.275 (C.43:13-22.50 et seq.), as provided in section 4 of P.L.1999, c.59 (C.43:8C-4).
L.1999,c.59,s.2.