New Jersey Governor Corzine Signs Kelley's Law

March 18, 2009 -- TRENTON - New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine today signed Kelley's Law, a measure that extends payment of accidental death benefits to survivors of members of the Armed Forces Reserve and National Guard who fall under the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), the State Police Retirement System (SPRS), the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF).

The bill, A-770/S-1392, is named for U.S. Army Reserve Major Dwayne M. Kelley, who was also a Detective Sergeant First Class in the New Jersey State Police. Major Kelley was killed by a bomb blast in Baghdad, Iraq on June 24, 2008.

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"It is a dual tragedy when we lose both a public servant and a soldier in the line of duty," said Governor Corzine. "Major Dwayne Kelley made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the safety and freedom of our state and this nation. Today, we honor his patriotism and dedicated service by signing this legislation.

"New Jersey's courageous men and women can now have peace of mind in knowing that the welfare of their families and loved ones is more secure because of these extended survivor benefits."

More than 3,000 New Jersey citizen soldiers have been activated in the global war on terror. An estimated 400 of those individuals serve the state as law enforcement officers or as firefighters.

"The accidental death benefits that we extend to our police and firefighters ensure that their families are taken care of in the event of their death while serving our state, but we also must protect those whose deaths take place in the line of duty protecting our nation" said Assemblyman Jack Conners (D-Camden, Burlington). "This new law will ensure that the families of those brave men and women who have their loss recognized properly and are compensated appropriately and treated with care."

"Police and fire professionals who serve in the armed forces should be considered on duty whether they are keeping our neighborhoods safe or fighting half a world away," said Assemblywoman Cleopatra G. Tucker (D-Essex).

"While our local police and fire services are daily working to keep our communities safe, it can be easy to forget that many of these dedicated officers also give their time and energy to Armed Forces Reserves or National Guard Duty and must be prepared to depart for war at a moments notice," said Assemblyman Fred Scalera (D-Essex). "Just as they fight to protect us on the home front, they fight to protect us in war zones across the world and - God forbid- something should happen to them, their families deserve to be entitled to every possible benefit."

Under the new law, survivors of a New Jersey law enforcement officer, firefighter or other public servant who dies in service to their country as a member of the National Guard or Armed Forces Reserve, will be entitled to the same benefits as if the individual were killed on the job here at home. The law is retroactive to June 1, 2008.

"So many men and women of this State 'step up' and serve their country, and we should also 'step up' and make sure that in cases of tragedy, their families are able to financially survive," said Senator Ronald L. Rice, D-Essex. "This bill provides members of PFRS with an additional benefit enhancement for their loved ones if they are to perish in combat as a member of the reserve component of the Armed Forces or the National Guard."

"Those who are called on to serve in defense of the Republic deserve every benefit that we can grant," Senator Anthony R. Bucco stated. "Citizen Soldiers must believe, when they leave home, that New Jersey will ensure that their families are protected while they are protecting us."

Primary sponsors of the legislation include Assemblymen Jack Conners (D-Burlington, Camden), Frederick Scalera (D-Bergen, Essex, Passaic), Gordon M. Johnson (D- Bergen), Assemblywomen Cleopatra G. Tucker (D-Essex), Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden, Gloucester) and Senators Ronald L. Rice (D-Essex) and Anthony R. Bucco (R -Morris).

Source: New Jersey Governor