The governing body of any municipality having a paid police or fire department shall be authorized, upon the death or retirement in good standing of any permanent member of such municipal police department or paid fire department occurring on or after the effective date of this act, to cause to be paid to him or his estate the full amount of any vacation pay accrued but unpaid at the time of his death or retirement. In the event that such vacation credit shall be calculated in terms of days off, the governing bodies shall pay for the same at the prevailing wage of the member at the time of death or retirement.

L.1971, c. 458, s. 1, eff. Feb. 29, 1972.