Requires eligibility checklist and audit for enrollment in PERS of certain public employees who provide professional services; imposes fine on certifying officer or supervisor for ineligible enrollments.

S 1682 requires public employers to verify that certain professional staff (attorneys, engineers, accountants, auditors, physicians, and architects) enrolled in New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) are properly classified as employees - not independent contractors - before enrollment. Certifying officers must complete an IRS-based eligibility checklist at enrollment, submit position creation documents, and avoid relying on the employee's self-representation. The bill mandates a new audit program to review existing enrollments within 12 months and requires all certifying officers to complete retroactive certifications for prior enrollments within six months of the bill's effective date. Violations resulting in ineligible enrollments trigger civil fines of $1,000 (first offense) up to $5,000 (third offense) for certifying officers or their supervisors. This bill directly affects public employers, certifying officers, and professional service employees in PERS.