1. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S. 40A:10-23 to the contrary, an employer which pays the premiums for health benefits for retirees pursuant to that section and which has adopted or adopts an early retirement incentive program pursuant to P.L.1993, c.99, P.L.1993, c.138, or P.L.1993, c.181 may, by adoption of a resolution by its governing body and filing a certified copy of the resolution with the Director of the Division of Pensions and Benefits or by inclusion of appropriate language in its resolution adopting the early retirement incentive program, elect to pay the premium for a retiree under that program who retires on the basis of 25 years or more of service credit in a State or locally administered retirement system, including any additional service credit provided under the early retirement incentive program, and a period of service from 0 to 15 years with the employer at the time of retirement, such period to be determined by the employer and included in its resolution.

L.1994,c.34,s.1.