Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9 of P.L. 1969, c.242 (C.18A:66-175) or any other law or regulation to the contrary, a member or participant in the alternate benefit program who elects to receive a distribution under a federal stimulus program in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including, but not limited to, a "coronavirus-related distribution" under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Pub. L. No. 116-136(2020), shall not have his or her membership or participation terminated and shall not be considered retired.
N.J.S. § 18A:66-175.1