5. The Office of Administrative Law immediately shall transmit an administrative law judge’s recommended decision in each case subject to the provisions of P.L.2009, c.16 (C. 40A:14-200 et al.) to the Civil Service Commission for review.

Within 45 days of receiving such a decision, the commission shall complete its review and issue its final determination. If the commission fails to issue its final determination within that 45-day period, the recommended decision of the administrative law judge shall be deemed to be final; provided, however, the commission, at its discretion, may extend its review period by no more than an additional 15 days. If, during any such extension, the commission fails to issue its final determination, the recommended decision of the administrative law judge shall be deemed to be final, unless, for good cause given, the commission gives written notice to the Chief Administrative Law Judge, the officer or firefighter, and the officer’s employing agency or the firefighter’s department that the review period shall be extended.

If the extension of a review period pursuant to this subsection is initiated prior to the 181 calendar day, the calendar days accruing during that extension, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (5) of subsection b. of section 2 of P.L.2009, c.16 (C. 40A:14-201), shall not be used in calculating the date upon which that officer or firefighter is entitled, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2009, c.16 (C. 40A:14-201), to receive his base salary pending a final determination of his appeal.

L.2009, c.16, s.5.