Permits application for PERS accidental disability benefit for injury sustained after January 2003 while employed at State psychiatric institution or correctional facility immediately prior to PERS membership.

This bill expands eligibility for accidental disability benefits under New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to cover certain state employees. It directly affects workers employed at State psychiatric institutions or correctional facilities after January 2003 but before becoming PERS members, who sustained injuries or illnesses during those jobs. The key provision deems such injuries as occurring "during membership" if the employee later joins PERS without interruption in the same employment. This allows them to apply for benefits based on those pre-membership work-related injuries, rather than requiring membership at the time of injury. The change specifically applies to traumatic injuries sustained while performing duties related to patient care or security at these facilities.