During the final week of the 2026 Legislative Session, the Assembly and Senate both passed S7635C Ryan/A9162A Pheffer-Amato.

The legislation establishes an optional twenty-five-year retirement plan for certain public safety dispatcher, public safety telecommunicator, 911 operator, communications officers, police communication technician, emergency services call taker, emergency services dispatcher, or any similar title, employed by the state, or county or municipal 911 department who is responsible for receiving and managing emergency calls, and dispatching appropriate emergency services, including but limited to, law enforcement, fire, and 
medical assistance to retire upon the completion of 25 years of creditable service if the employing state, county, municipality, and affiliated employer elects to provide this option.

Key provisions include:
• Counties will have to opt into providing 25-year retirement
• Eligibility: Covers 911 operators, public safety telecommunicators, police communication technicians, emergency services call-takers, and similar titles. 
• Credible Service: all services performed as a public safety dispatcher, public safety telecommunicator, 911 operator, communications officers, police communication 
technician, emergency services operator, emergency services; dispatcher, or any similar title, employed by the state, or a county or municipal emergency services department who is responsible for receiving and managing emergency calls, and dispatching appropriate emergency services, including but not limited to, law enforcement, fire, and medical assistance.
• Retirement Benefit: Allows retirement after 25 years of creditable service with a guaranteed allowance equal to 50% of a member's final average salary. 
• Service Beyond 25 Years: Members earn an additional 1/60 of their final average salary per extra year served, with a maximum benefit cap of 75%. 
• Funding: Past service costs associated with implementing this benefit must be borne by 
the employing state, county, or municipal entity. 

This bill has passed both houses and awaits transmittal to the Governor for action. Once the Governor receives the legislation she has 10 days to sign or veto. This legislation does contain a fiscal component that if enacted will be borne by the state and municipality.

Generally, legislation that has a fiscal implication is vetoed by the Governor due to this legislation being passed outside of the Enacted State Budget process