2. Notwithstanding the provisions of P.L.1961, c.49 (C. 52:14-17.26 et seq.) to the contrary, from funds appropriated therefor, the State shall pay the premium or periodic charges for the benefits provided to a retired State employee and any dependents under the program, but not including survivors, if the employee: (a) submitted an application for retirement with the Judicial Retirement System pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2019, c.287 (C. 43:6A-11.1); (b) subsequently served in the position of county prosecutor or of Administrative Director of the Courts; (c) was covered by the program at the time of terminating full-time employment as a judge with the State, and (d) was eligible for health care benefits coverage in retirement under the program paid in full or in part by the State at the time of terminating full-time employment as a judge with the State.

The health care benefits coverage in retirement under the program to which the former State employee is entitled shall be deferred. The former State employee shall notify the program of the date on which employment as a county prosecutor or as the Administrative Director of the Courts is terminated and the deferred retirement is to commence pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2019, c.287 (C. 43:6A-11.1). The former State employee and the employee’s dependents shall be enrolled in the program as soon as feasible after that termination date and shall be entitled to such health care benefits coverage and payments for such coverage as the former State employee was eligible on the date terminating full-time employment as a judge with the State.

L.2019, c.287, s.2; amended 2021, c.329, s.2.