§ 40A:14-203 — Recommendation of administrative law judge, payment status.

4. If the administrative law judge recommends that: a. The officer's or firefighter's appeal be denied and that the officer's or firefighter's employment be terminated, the officer or firefighter shall not be entitled to receive his base salary, or continue to receive his base salary if, at the time the judge's recommendation is rendered, the officer or firefighter already is receiving his base salary, as provided in subsection a. of section 2 of P.L.2009, c.16 (C.40A:14-201), until a final determination rendered by the Civil Service Commission reverses that recommendation; b. The employing agency's action terminating the officer or the department's action terminating the firefighter be dismissed, the employing agency or department shall, within the time prescribed by the Civil Service Commission, begin paying the officer or firefighter his base salary. If, at the time the judge's recommendation is rendered, the officer or firefighter already is receiving his base salary, as provided in section 2 of P.L.2009, c.16 (C.40A:14-201), the officer or firefighter shall continue to do so, until a final determination rendered by the Civil Service Commission reverses that recommendation; or c. The officer or firefighter be subject to disciplinary action, but to a disciplinary action that is less adverse than termination of the officer's or firefighter's employment, the officer or firefighter shall be entitled, commencing on the 181st day following his suspension, as provided in section 2 of P.L.2009, c.16 (C.40A:14-201) or on the day set forth in the judge's recommendation, whichever is later, to receive his base salary. In the case of an officer or firefighter who is receiving his base salary in accordance with the provisions of subsection a. of section 2 of P.L.2009, c.16 (C.40A:14-201) at the time the judge's recommendation is issued, the officer or firefighter shall continue to receive his base salary unless otherwise recommended by the judge. d. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize an award of back pay before a final decision is issued pursuant to section 5 of P.L.2009, c.16 (C.40A:14-204). L.2009, c.16, s.4.