Extends eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans.

This bill (S 2511) expands eligibility for New Jersey civil service and pension benefits by updating the legal definition of "veteran" to include service in specific conflicts like the Lebanon peacekeeping mission (1982-1987) and Grenada (1983). It directly affects veterans who served in these designated periods but previously did not qualify under the existing definition, allowing them to access benefits by meeting service requirements (e.g., 14 days for Lebanon/Grenada). The key mechanism is amending Section 11A:5-1 of New Jersey law to add these conflicts to the list of qualifying service periods. This change ensures veterans of these specific missions can now receive the same benefits as those covered under broader definitions. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.