6. A public employee enrolled in a State-administered retirement system or fund, and the employer of that employee, shall be required to make contributions to the system or fund during the period that the employee is participating in a shared work program pursuant to P.L.2011, c.154 (C. 43:21-20.3 et seq.). The contributions shall be based on the base salary or compensation, as defined by the retirement system or fund, that would have been paid to the employee if the employee had not been participating in a shared work program. No deduction for the payment of such contributions shall be made from the unemployment compensation or short-time compensation benefits of the employee. The employee’s service credit as a member of the system or fund shall include the period during which the employee participated in a shared work program. For all purposes under the retirement system or fund, the period during which the employee participated in a shared work program and the base salary or compensation upon which contributions were made during such period shall be recognized by the retirement system or fund. The seniority rights and health benefits coverage of an employee who participates in a shared work program shall continue and shall not be adversely affected by participation. The employer shall enter into a written agreement with any collective bargaining agent representing the employees regarding the terms of the program, including terms regarding attendance in training programs while receiving short-time benefits, and provide certification, and the copy, of the agreement to the division as required by P.L.2011, c.154 (C. 43:21-20.3 et seq.). This section shall not be construed to conflict with any applicable provisions of federal law.

L.2020, c.57, s.6.