ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1683

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MARCH 11, 1996

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1683.

      This bill would increase from 36 months to 60 months the period during which laid-off law enforcement officers are eligible, and accorded preference, for reemployment appointments under the State's special Statewide law enforcement program.

      Under current law (P.L.1991, c.299; C.40A:14-180), the names of qualified law enforcement officers who are laid-off for reasons of economy are placed on a "Special Statewide Law Enforcement Reemployment List" and circulated to local governmental appointing authority by the Department of Personnel. This priority hiring program benefits both local governmental units seeking to employ trained and experienced law enforcement officers and qualified officers seeking reemployment.

      One of the program's statutory qualifications is that law enforcement officers are only eligible during the initial 36 months following the official date of their lay-off. The purpose of this bill is to assist those officers who have not secured reemployment within the 36 months by extending the eligibility period.