New JerseyState police families would qualify for on-duty benefits after suicide
New Jersey would count suicide during active service as an on-duty accident, giving eligible state police families access to survivor pensions and health coverage.
What it does
Eligible survivors of New Jersey State Police Retirement System members who die by suicide during active service would qualify for the death benefits provided for on-duty accidents.
Argument forSurviving spouses and children could gain financial security through pensions and state-paid health coverage after a member’s suicide during active service.
Argument againstPaying pensions and health premiums in these additional cases could increase the state’s spending on death benefits.
More detail
The retirement system would treat suicide during active service as a death caused by an on-duty accident. This would cover New Jersey State Police Retirement System members who die by suicide while in active service and their eligible survivors. Suicide would not count as willful negligence, meaning deliberate carelessness that can block benefits. Existing eligibility rules would govern survivor pensions, one-time payments, and state-paid health coverage for spouses and children. The change would take effect immediately if enacted.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 15Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government CommitteeIntroduced
Mental HealthPublic SafetyHealthcare