The Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee has moved forward with a bill proposed by Senator Carmen Amato, Jr. (R-9) aimed at bolstering job and benefit protections for public employees who serve in the military, reserves, or National Guard.
Senator Amato’s bill, S-3601, seeks to ensure that public employers maintain an employee’s pension and health benefits during active military duty. It also aims to clarify existing laws related to paid leave, job security, and reemployment rights for those deployed.
“Public employees who are deployed—whether for three months or a year—shouldn’t be forced to shoulder the financial burden of catching up on missed pension contributions just because they answered the call to serve,” said Sen. Amato. “This bill is about standing with those who stand up for our communities and our country by ensuring there are no lapses in pension contributions during military leave.”
Under current legislation, limited paid military leave is provided: up to 30 workdays per year for members of the U.S. military reserves or National Guard from other states, and up to 90 workdays per year for New Jersey National Guard members. Any leave beyond these limits remains unpaid unless specified in a union contract or employer policy.
The new proposal would allow public employees to receive pay beyond the existing 30- or 90-day limits if such pay is stipulated in a collective bargaining agreement or offered by the employer. Additionally, it allows employees to voluntarily use accrued paid time off without employer compulsion, entitles them to extra paid leave for pre-deployment travel and preparation, and broadens the definition of “emergency” under current military leave protections.
The full text of the bill is available online.
