A2508

ASSEMBLY, No. 2508

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED NOVEMBER 14, 1996

By Assemblywoman BUONO

An Act concerning employment agencies, amending and supplementing P.L.1989, c.331 and repealing section 14 of P.L.1981, c.1 and section 2 of P.L.1989, c.331.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Section 1 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-43) is amended to read as follows:

1. As used in this act:

"Accepting employment" means that a job seeker has entered into an agreement with an employer which includes:

(1) The terms and conditions of employment;

(2) The salary or wages and any benefits to be paid to the job seeker as compensation for employment; and

(3) The date, time and place employment will commence.

"A career consulting or outplacement organization" means any person, required to be registered under section 24 of this act, providing or rendering services, with or without related products, in connection with advice, instruction, analysis, recommendation or assistance concerning past, present, or future employment or compensation for an individual's time, labor or effort.

"Agent" means any individual who performs any function or activity for or on behalf of any person, the purpose of which is to provide services or products to individuals seeking employment, career guidance or counseling, or employment related services or products.

"Applicant" means any person applying for licensing or registration under this act.

["Attorney General" means the Attorney General of this State or a designee.]

"Baby sitter" means and includes any individual under 16 years of age, other than a registered nurse or a licensed nurse, entrusted temporarily with the care of children during the absence of their parents, guardians, or individuals standing in loco parentis to them. This definition shall not include persons regularly employed by agencies, or institutions operated by or under the control or supervision of this State, or any of its political subdivisions, nor any child care facilities operated for the care of children when the facilities are similarly controlled or supervised.

"Booking agency" means any person who procures, offers, promises, or attempts to procure employment for performing artists, or athletes, not under the jurisdiction of the Athletic Control Board, and who collects a fee for providing those services.

"Bureau" means the Bureau of Employment and Personnel Services in the [Division of Consumer Affairs within the Department of Law and Public Safety] Department of Labor created pursuant to section 2 of [this act] P.L. , c. (C. ) (now pending before the Legislature as this bill).

"Career counseling service" means any business that, through its agents or otherwise, procures or represents itself as procuring employment or employment assistance or advertises in any manner the following services for a fee: career counseling; vocational guidance; aptitude, achievement or vocational testing; executive consulting; personnel consulting; career management, evaluation, or planning; the development of resumes and other promotional materials relating to the preparation for employment; or referral services relating to employment or employment qualifications. A career counseling service shall be licensed as an employment agency pursuant to the provisions of this act. A career counseling service shall not include career consulting or outplacement organizations required to be registered under section 24 of this act.

"Chief" means the Chief of the Bureau of Employment and Personnel Services.

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Labor, or his designee.

"Consulting firm" means any person required to be registered under section 23 of this act that:

(1) Identifies, appraises, refers or recommends individuals to be considered for employment by the employer; and

(2) Is compensated for services solely by payments from the employer and is not, in any instance, compensated, directly or indirectly, by an individual who is identified, appraised, referred or recommended.

["Director" means the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, or his designee.]

"Employer" means a person seeking to obtain individuals to perform services, tasks, or labor for which a salary, wage, or other compensation or benefits are to be paid.

"Employment agency" means any person who, for a fee, charge or commission:

(1) Procures or obtains, or offers, promises or attempts to procure, obtain, or assist in procuring or obtaining employment for a job seeker or employees for an employer; or

(2) Supplies job seekers to employers seeking employees on a part-time or temporary assignment basis [who has not filed notification with the Attorney General pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1981, c.1 (C.56:8-1.1)]; or

(3) Procures, obtains, offers, promises or attempts to procure or obtain employment or engagements for actors, actresses, performing artists, vocalists, musicians or models; or

(4) Acts as a placement firm, career counseling service, or resume service; or

(5) Acts as a nurses' registry.

The [director] commissioner shall have the authority to determine, from time to time, that a particular employment agency or career-related service or product, not otherwise expressly subject to the provisions of this act, is subject to whichever requirements of this act he deems appropriate.

"Fee, charge or commission" means any payment of money, or promise to pay money to a person in consideration for performance of any service for which licensure or registration is required by this act, or the excess of money received by a person furnishing employment or job seekers over what he has paid for transportation, transfer of baggage or lodging for a job seeker. "Fee, charge or commission" shall also include the difference between the amount of money received by any person who either furnishes job seekers or performers for any entertainment, exhibition or performance, or who furnishes baby sitters for any occasion, and the amount paid by the person to the job seekers, performers or baby sitters.

"Job listing service" means any person required to be registered under section 25 of this act who, by advertisement or other means, offers to provide job seekers with a list of employers, a list of job openings or a similar publication, or prepares resumes or lists of applicants for distribution to potential employers, where a fee or other valuable consideration is exacted or attempted to be collected, either directly or indirectly.

"Job seeker" means any individual seeking employment, career guidance or counseling or employment related services or products.

"Job seeker contingent liability" means a provision in an agreement between an employment agency and a job seeker whereby the job seeker may become liable, in whole or in part, to pay a fee, charge or commission of any amount, directly or indirectly, on account of any service rendered by the employment agency.

"Just cause for voluntary termination of employment by a job seeker" means and includes, but is not limited to, cases in which material misrepresentations of the terms or conditions of employment have been relied upon by a job seeker who would not have accepted the employment if the grounds for termination were known before acceptance of the employment.

"License" means a license issued by the [director] commissioner to any person to:

(1) Carry on the business of an employment agency; and

(2) Perform, as an agent of the agency, any of the functions related to the operation of the agency.

"Performing artist" means a model, musical, theatrical or other entertainment performer employed or engaged individually or in a group.

"Person" means any natural person or legal representative, partnership, corporation, company, trust, business entity or association, and any agent, employee, salesperson, partner, officer, director, member, stockholder, associate, trustee or cestuis que trustent thereof.

"Prepaid computer job matching service" means any person required to be registered under section 25 of this act who is engaged in the business of matching job seekers with employment opportunities, pursuant to an arrangement under which the job seeker is required to pay a fee in advance of, or contemporaneously with, the supplying of the matching, but which does not otherwise involve services for the procurement of employment by the person conducting the service.

"Primary location" means an address used for 90 or more calendar days by a person for the conduct of an activity regulated under this act.

"Principal owner" means any person who, directly or indirectly, holds a beneficial interest or ownership in an applicant or who has the ability to control an applicant.

"Temporary employment" means employment in which the duration is fixed as some definite agreed period of time or by the occurrence of some specified event, either of which shall be clearly stated to all parties at the time of referral to the employment.

["Temporary help service firm" means any person who operates a business which consists of employing individuals directly or indirectly for the purpose of assigning the employed individuals to assist the firm's customers in the handling of the customers' temporary, excess or special work loads, and who, in addition to the payment of wages or salaries to the employed individuals, pays federal social security taxes and State and federal unemployment insurance; carries worker's compensation insurance as required by State law; and sustains responsibility for the actions of the employed individuals while they render services to the firm's customers. A temporary help service firm is required to comply with the provisions of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.).]

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.1)

2. (New section) There is established a Bureau of Employment and Personnel Services in the Department of Labor. The commissioner shall appoint the chief of the bureau, who shall receive a salary as provided by law.

3. Section 3 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-44) is amended to read as follows:

3. In addition to any other procedure, condition or information required by this act:

a. Every applicant shall file a disclosure statement with the chief stating whether or not the applicant has been convicted of any crime, which for the purposes of this act shall mean a violation of any of the following provisions of the "New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice," Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes as amended and supplemented, or the equivalent under the laws of any other jurisdiction:

(1) Any crime of the first degree;

(2) Any crime which is a second or third degree crime and is a violation of chapter 20 or 21 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes; or

(3) Any other crime which is a violation of N.J.S.2C:5-1, 2C:5-2, 2C:11-2 through 2C:11-4, 2C:12-1, 2C:12-3, 2C:13-1, 2C:14-2, 2C:15-1, subsection a. or b. of 2C:17-1, subsection a. or b. of 2C:17-2, 2C:18-2, 2C:20-1, 2C:20-2, 2C:20-4, 2C:20-5, 2C:20-7, 2C:20-9, 2C:21-2 through 2C:21-4, 2C:21-6, 2C:21-7, 2C:21-12, 2C:21-14, 2C:21-15, or 2C:21-19, chapter 27 or 28 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, N.J.S.2C:30-2, 2C:30-3, 2C:35-5, 2C:35-10, or 2C:37-1 through 2C:37-4.

b. Each disclosure statement may be reviewed and used by the [director] commissioner as grounds for denying licensure or registration, except that in cases in which the provisions of P.L.1968, c.282 (C.2A:168A-1 et seq.) apply, the [director] commissioner shall comply with the requirements of that act.

c. An applicant who is denied licensure or registration pursuant to this section shall, upon a written request transmitted to the [director] commissioner within 30 calendar days of the denial, be afforded an opportunity for a hearing in the manner provided for contested cases pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).

d. An applicant shall have the continuing duty to provide any assistance or information requested by the [director] commissioner, and to cooperate in any inquiry, investigation, or hearing conducted by the [director] commissioner.

e. If any of the information required to be included in the disclosure statement changes, or if any additional information should be added after the filing of the statement, the applicant shall provide that information to the chief, in writing, within 30 calendar days of the change or addition.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.3)

4. Section 5 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-46) is amended to read as follows:

5. The provisions of this act shall not apply to:

a. A teachers' registry conducted by an association of certified teachers, whose membership is not less than 10 certified teachers, incorporated as a nonprofit organization under the laws of New Jersey, and operated under the supervision of a teacher recognized and approved as a certified teacher by the Department of Education of this State, or by the duly established authority of the state in which the employment is procured, which registry procures positions only for certified teachers who are recognized and approved as certified teachers by the Department of Education of this State;

b. Any State, federal, municipal or charitable agency which does not charge fees;

c. Any department or bureau which is maintained by persons for the purpose of securing help for themselves and does not charge fees to job seekers. The exemption from the provisions of this act provided by this subsection shall not be construed to exempt associations or organizations of employers from the requirement to procure the licenses or registration otherwise required under this act;

d. The procuring of employment by any labor union for any of its members in any job coming under the jurisdiction of the union; provided, that no fee is charged any member for being furnished employment or information where employment may be procured;

e. Any nurses' registry operated by any association of registered nurses, whose membership is not less than 10 registered nurses, duly incorporated as a nonprofit organization under the laws of New Jersey, and operated under the supervision of a registered nurse authorized to practice in the State of New Jersey; except that no nurses' registry shall furnish help or employment to anyone other than a registered nurse, a practical nurse licensed by the State, or a person, other than a baby sitter, who is approved by the registered nurse in charge of the nurses' registry and is sent by the agency to an employer to assist nonprofessionally in the care of the sick or ailing;

f. Any association of farmers which:

(1) Is duly incorporated on a nonprofit basis, under the laws of New Jersey;

(2) Is certified to the [director] commissioner by the Secretary of Agriculture of New Jersey as being an association of bona fide farmers of New Jersey;

(3) Does not furnish job seekers to employers other than members of their association; and

(4) Does not charge fees to any job seeker for being furnished employment or information where employment may be procured.

g. Any person who furnishes farmers with field or harvest workers to be employed on a seasonal basis, and charges no fee either directly or indirectly to any worker, if the wages of the workers are paid directly to the workers by the farmers who employ them.

The exemptions established in this subsection and subsection f. of this section shall not apply to any person who induces or attempts to induce a person working under contract with an employer to leave the employment in which he is working under that contract before the contract is completed or the worker is no longer responsible for its completion;

h. [Any temporary help service firm which does not:

(1) Charge a fee or liquidated charge to any individual employed by the firm or in connection with employment by the firm;

(2) Prevent or inhibit, by contract, any of the individuals it employs from becoming employed by any other person;

(3) Knowingly send individuals it employs to, or knowingly continue to render services to, any plant or office where a strike or lockout is in progress for the purpose of replacing individuals who are striking or who are locked out. Any person conducting a temporary help service firm which knowingly sends its employed individuals to, or knowingly continues to render services to, a plant or office where a strike or lockout is in progress for the purpose of replacing those individuals who are striking or who are locked out or, directly or indirectly counsels, aids or abets that action shall be liable to a penalty of $1,000 upon each occurrence. The penalty shall be sued for, and received by and in the name of the Attorney General and shall be collected and enforced by summary proceedings pursuant to "the penalty enforcement law" (N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq.).

This exclusion shall apply to temporary help service firms operated by any person who also operates an employment agency as long as the businesses are independently operated as prescribed by rules and regulations promulgated by the Attorney General;] (Deleted by amendment, P.L. , c. .)

i. Any news periodical which contains listings of or classified advertisements for jobs, positions, employers, or job seekers where the periodical also contains news stories of general interest, articles or essays of opinion, features and other advertising and which is offered to the general public for sale at a nominal fee;

j. Any nonprofit educational, religious or charitable institution which provides career counseling, job placement or other employment-related services, skills evaluation, skills analysis, or testing for vocational ability in order to develop a vocational profile to counsel individuals and recommend placement opportunities as part of the fulfillment of its educational, religious or charitable purpose;

k. Any copying, printing, duplicating or resume preparation service which in no instance charges a fee, directly or indirectly, for providing any employment-related service other than copying, printing, duplicating or assisting in arranging the layout of a resume.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.5)

5. Section 6 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-47) is amended to read as follows:

6. a. An application for an employment agency license required by this act shall be made in writing to the chief in the form prescribed by the [director] commissioner. The application shall state the complete address, including street and number, of the building and place where the agency is to be conducted and shall enumerate the types of services which the applicant intends to provide. The applicant shall furnish any additional information as may be required by the [director] commissioner for the purpose of investigating the character and responsibility of the applicant and its principal owners or its officers and directors.

b. The chief shall act upon any application for a license within 30 days after receiving it, except that the [director] commissioner may extend the maximum time for acting upon an application to 60 days for the purpose of allowing an applicant to submit additional information or if a hearing on an application is required.

c. The [director] commissioner shall provide for the issuance of, and shall prescribe the form for, the licenses to be issued pursuant to this act.

d. An employment agency license shall not be transferred by the licensee to another person or amended without the written consent of the [director] commissioner and the payment of the fee prescribed by this act.

e. All licenses shall expire on January 1 of the year following their issuance.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.6)

6. Section 7 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-48) is amended to read as follows:

7. a. An application for an agent's license shall state the name and address of the applicant and any other name used by the applicant in the last six years, the name of the holder of the employment agency license by whom the applicant expects to be employed, and any other information concerning the applicant required by the chief to assist in the determination of the applicant's qualifications to provide the services for which the applicant would be licensed.

b. An agent's license shall not be issued until the holder of the employment agency license named in the application confirms to the chief in writing that the applicant is or will be employed by the employment agency. A license issued to an agent of an employment agency shall not authorize employment by any other employment agency.

c. An applicant for an agent's license under this act shall, by means of whatever written examination is required by the [director] commissioner, reasonably satisfy the chief that the applicant:

(1) Has knowledge of the provisions of this act and applicable rules and regulations which is sufficient to ensure that the applicant is able to comply with the applicable laws and regulations; and

(2) Has knowledge of and experience in the fields of employment specified in the application which is sufficient to ensure that the applicant is able to render adequate and efficient service to job seekers.

d. An applicant for an agent's license shall furnish information which will reasonably satisfy the chief that the applicant has sufficient knowledge of employment opportunities, career guidance or counseling, or employment-related services or products which the applicant intends to provide to job seekers.

e. Upon the termination of the employment of the holder of an agent's license, the holder of the employment agency license by whom the holder of the agent's license has been employed shall promptly notify the chief of the termination of employment. The agent's license shall thereupon be canceled and the agent entitled to the issuance of a new license for the unexpired term of the old license without payment of an additional fee upon the written request of the agent, and the holder of the employment agency license who is to be named in the new license as the new employer, except that the [director] commissioner may refuse to issue the new license for any good cause shown within the provisions of this act.

f. For the purpose of enabling individuals to secure experience and knowledge necessary to qualify them as an agent, the [director] commissioner may waive any of the requirements of this section which the [director] commissioner deems proper and issue a conditional license authorizing the holder to perform functions requiring a license, when acting under the direct supervision of a duly qualified licensed agent. The conditional license shall remain in effect for not more than one year.

g. The [director] commissioner shall provide for the issuance of, and shall prescribe the form for, the licenses authorized to be issued pursuant to this act.

h. The [director] commissioner may require licenses to be posted and identification cards to be carried.

i All licenses shall expire on January 1 of the year following their issuance.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.7)

7. Section 8 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-49) is amended to read as follows:

8. a. Before an employment agency license is issued, the applicant shall post with the [director] commissioner a bond in the amount of $10,000, with a duly authorized surety company as surety, to be approved by the [director] commissioner.

b. The bond shall be retained by the chief until 90 days after either the expiration or revocation of the employment agency license, as appropriate.

c. The bond shall be payable to the State of New Jersey and upon the condition that the person applying for the license will comply with this act and will pay all damages occasioned to any person by reason of any misrepresentative, deceptive, or misleading act or practice, or any unlawful act or omission of any licensed person, agents, or employees, while acting within the scope of employment, made, committed or omitted in the business conducted under the license, or caused by any violation of this act in carrying on the business for which the license is granted.

d. In case of a breach of the condition of any bond, application may be made to the [director] commissioner by the person injured by the breach for leave to sue upon the bond, which shall be granted by the [director] commissioner if it is proven that the condition of the bond has been breached and that the person has been injured. The person obtaining leave to sue shall be furnished with a certified copy of the bond and shall be authorized to institute suit on the bond in the person's name for the recovery of damages sustained by the breach.

e. If at any time, in the opinion of the [director] commissioner, the surety on any bond shall become irresponsible, the person holding the license shall, upon notice from the [director] commissioner, give a new bond, subject to the provisions of this section. The failure to give a new bond within 10 days after notice, at the direction of the [director] commissioner, shall operate as revocation of the license, and the license shall be returned to the [director] commissioner.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.8)

8. Section 10 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-51) is amended to read as follows:

10. a. Every employment agency shall:

(1) Keep and make available to the chief, or a designee, during regular business hours, records containing information regarding services provided, products sold to job seekers or employers, and fees charged or collected, and other information required by rules and regulations to enable the chief to determine the status of compliance with the provisions of this act;

(2) Require all job seekers applying for positions of trust or work with private families to furnish the agency with names and addresses of individuals available as character references, and shall communicate, orally or in writing, with at least one of the individuals given by the job seeker as a character reference. If the job seeker has not furnished the name of any individuals available as character references, or if no favorable statement has been received from a character reference, the agency shall so advise the prospective employer to whom the job seeker is referred. This information shall be written upon the referral slip given by the agency to the job seeker to present to the prospective employer. The written result of the verification to determine the character and responsibility of any job seeker shall be kept on file in the agency subject to examination by the chief. If the employer voluntarily waives, in writing, a verification of references, the licensed agency shall not be required to make the verification;

(3) Give to each job seeker a copy of every writing the job seeker has signed, the form of which complies with P.L.1980, c.125 (C.56:12-1 et seq.).

(4) Furnish to each job seeker, who is sent to a prospective employer for an interview concerning the job seeker's qualifications or future employment in a job for which no order has been given to the agency, a card or paper containing the names of the job seeker and prospective employer, the address of the prospective employer and any other particulars the agency may determine are necessary. In each case, there shall be printed in bold-faced type on the card or paper the following:

"This card of introduction is given to . . . . . . . . . . . (name of job seeker) with the understanding that there is no obligation to this employment agency for any fee until, as a result of the services rendered by this agency, . . . . . . . . . (name of job seeker) is employed in a job with respect to which the agency received a bona fide order from an employer. . . . . . . . . . . (name of job seeker) has agreed to pay the fee under the foregoing conditions if the fee is not paid by an employer."

(5) Post in the agency in the places that the chief, or a designee, directs, an abstract of this act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the [director] commissioner. The chief shall provide the abstracts and charge for the printing of these abstracts.

(6) Provide, prior to assignment or at the time of assignment, a written contract to a job seeker who is being or has been assigned to the agency's customer on a part-time or temporary basis, which contract shall include: the name of the supervisor, if known; a description of the tasks to be performed by the job seeker and the skills and experience of the job seeker expected by the customer; the period of the assignment; the hours of work; the dress code of the customer in the workplace; worker rights; and known hazards at the work site to which the job seeker is being assigned.

(7) File with the commissioner, at the time of the agency's annual registration, a report on the total number of job seekers the agency assigned to the agency's customers on a part-time or temporary basis and the total number of days of work those job seekers performed for those customers during the immediately preceding calendar year; the total number of days of work each job seeker performed for each customer during the immediately preceding calendar year; and the total number of job seekers assigned to each customer during the immediately preceding calendar year and the total number of days of work those job seekers performed for each customer during the immediately preceding calendar year.

b. In addition to the requirements set forth in subsection a., each employment agency which charges or may charge the job seeker a fee shall:

(1) File with the chief, for the chief's approval, a schedule of fees proposed to be charged for any service rendered or product sold to job seekers and adhere to the schedule in charging for these services or products. The chief shall not approve the fee schedule unless the chief is satisfied that the fee schedule is on a form which makes the schedule reasonably understandable by job seekers and that the fee schedule is in compliance with all other provisions of this section. The schedule of fees may thereafter be changed or supplemented, by filing an amended or supplemental schedule with the bureau. The changes shall not become effective until approval has been granted by the chief and the amended or supplemental fee schedule has been posted for not less than seven days in a conspicuous manner in the office of the agency. It shall be unlawful for any employment agency to charge, demand, collect or receive a greater fee for any service rendered or product sold to a job seeker than is specified in the most recent schedule filed with the bureau;

(2) Post the schedule of fees in a conspicuous manner in the office of the agency using forms provided by the chief;

(3) Compute fees paid by a job seeker seeking employment on the basis of permanent employment, unless the employment is temporary employment. Where temporary employment merges into permanent employment, or where a job seeker accepts permanent employment within 30 days after the termination of temporary employment, the permanent employment may be considered the result of the references to the temporary position and the fee may be based on the permanent employment with due credit given for the payment made for the temporary employment;

(4) Not charge to a job seeker who obtains employment and who is discharged without cause or who voluntarily terminates employment for just cause more than 1% of the scheduled fee for each day worked. For purposes of this paragraph, the employment agency shall repay to any job seeker so discharged or terminated any excess of the maximum fee in accordance with the fee schedule, allowing three days' time to determine that the termination was not due to any fault on the part of the job seeker. The employment agency may, however, by separate written agreement between the employment agency and the job seeker, retain the fee or any part of the fee which has been paid for the job from which the job seeker has been discharged without cause or terminated, if the agency furnishes the job seeker with another job and allows due credit for the retained payment;

(5) Not charge a job seeker who either fails to report for duty after accepting employment or voluntarily terminates employment without just cause within 30 days more than 30% of the scheduled fee;

(6) Obtain a bona fide order for employment prior to collecting any fee from a job seeker or sending out a job seeker to any place of employment. Except as may be otherwise provided in rules and regulations, no charge or advance fee of any kind shall be charged, demanded, collected, or received by the agency from a job seeker seeking employment until employment has been obtained by or through the efforts of the agency;

(7) Give to every job seeker from whom a fee is received, at the time payment is received, a receipt which shall state the name of the job seeker, the name and address of the employment agency and its agent, the date and amount of the fee and the purpose for which it was paid; and

(8) Furnish each job seeker, who is sent to a prospective employer, with a card or similar paper containing the nature of the prospective employment, the names of the job seeker and prospective employer, and the address of the employer.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.10)

9. Section 11 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-52) is amended to read as follows:

11. It shall be a violation of the provisions of this act for any person to:

a. Open, conduct, or maintain, either directly or indirectly, an employment agency or perform any of the functions of an employment agency without first obtaining a valid employment agency license from the [director] commissioner and complying with all requirements of this act regarding agents' licenses for the agents of the agency. A license shall not authorize the furnishing of help or employment or the furnishing of information where help or employment may be procured in the capacity of baby sitters. A license shall not authorize activities of any person other than the individual person or persons holding the license, except that a corporation may be the holder of an employment agency license. A license shall not authorize activities at any place other than the place designated in the license except upon issuance of a special permit by the [director] commissioner. A licensee may engage in activities requiring registration under sections 23, 24 and 25 of this act if it complies with the requirements of those sections.

b. Conduct business, or any phase thereof, in any room or place where:

(1) An individual sleeps or conducts his or her household affairs, unless the business premises have separate ingress and egress from the residential premises;

(2) Premises are rented or leased on an hourly, daily, weekly, or other transient basis except as otherwise provided by regulation;

c. Charge or accept payment of any fees which are greater than those shown by any schedule of fees which is required to be filed with the chief and posted in the agency;

d. Accept and receive any gift as, or in lieu of, a fee;

e. Divide or offer to divide fees, directly or indirectly, with prospective or actual employers or any agent, employee, or representative;

f. Accept payment of a fee or attempt to collect any fee for a service rendered or product sold where employment has not been accepted, except that the requirements of this subsection shall not apply to any career counseling service if that service receives no prepayment for services or products and provides services or products strictly on an hourly basis, with no financial obligation required of the job seeker beyond the hourly fee for the services or products rendered;

g. Falsely state or imply to a job seeker that the person is seeking to obtain individuals to perform services, tasks or labor for which salary, wages, or other compensation is to be paid;

h. Send or cause to be sent any individual to any place used for unlawful purposes;

i. Place or assist in placing an individual under 18 years of age into employment which is in violation of the laws of this State;

j. Induce or compel any individual to enter the agency, for any purpose, by the use of force or by taking forcible possession of the individual's property;

k. Publish or cause to be published any deceptive or misleading notice or advertisement. All advertisements of any agency by any means, including, but not limited to, cards, circulars or signs, or in newspapers and other publications, and all letterheads, receipts and blanks, shall contain the name and address of the agency;

l. Make a deceptive or misleading representation to a job seeker or employer, or enter into any contract with any job seeker or employer or induce or attempt to induce any job seeker or employer to make any agreement, the provisions of which contract or agreement, if fulfilled, violate this act;

m. Require that a job seeker enter into a contract with the agency or any specific lender for the purpose of fulfilling a financial obligation to the employment agency;

n. Demand, charge, collect, or receive a fee unless in accordance with the terms of a written contract or agreement with a job seeker;

o. Engage in any act or practice in violation of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.) and regulations promulgated thereunder.

p. Knowingly assign a job seeker on a part-time or temporary assignment basis to, or knowingly render services to, a plant, office or other facility where a strike or lockout is in progress for the purpose of replacing the individuals who are striking or who are locked out, or directly or indirectly counsel, aid or abet that action.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.11)

10. Section 12 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-53) is amended to read as follows:

12. The [director] commissioner may refuse to issue, and may revoke, any license for failure to comply with, or violation of, the provisions of this act or for any other good cause shown, within the meaning and purpose of this act. A refusal or revocation shall not be made except upon reasonable notice to, and opportunity to be heard by, the applicant or licensee. The [director] commissioner may, if he finds it to be in the public interest, suspend a license for any period of time that he determines to be proper or assess a penalty in lieu of suspension, or both, and may issue a new license, notwithstanding the revocation of a prior license, provided that he finds the applicant to have become entitled to the new license.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.12)

11. Section 13 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-54) is amended to read as follows:

13. To accomplish the objectives and carry out the duties prescribed by this act, the [director] commissioner may issue subpoenas to any person, administer an oath or affirmation to any person, conduct hearings in aid of any investigation or inquiry, promulgate rules and regulations, and prescribe forms as may be necessary.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.13)

12. Section 14 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-55) is amended to read as follows:

14. Whenever it appears to the [director] commissioner that a person has engaged in, is engaging in, or is about to engage in, any practice declared to be unlawful by this act, or whenever the [director] commissioner believes it to be in the public interest that an investigation should be made to ascertain whether a person has engaged in, is engaging in, or is about to engage in, any unlawful practice, the [director] commissioner may:

a. Require the person to file, on forms prescribed by him, a written statement or report, under oath or otherwise, concerning the facts and circumstances regarding the practice which is under investigation;

b. Examine under oath any person in connection with the practice under investigation;

c. Examine any record, book, document, account, contract, or paper as he deems necessary; and

d. Pursuant to an order of the Superior Court, impound any record, book, document, account, contract, or paper that is produced in accordance with this act, and retain it until the completion of all proceedings in connection with the materials produced.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.14)

13. Section 15 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-56)is amended to read as follows:

15. Service by the [director] commissioner of any notice requiring a person to file a statement or report, or of a subpoena upon the person, shall be made personally within this State, but if this cannot be done, substituted service may be made in the following manner:

a. Personal service outside this State;

b. The mailing by registered or certified mail to the last known place of business or residence inside or outside the State of the person;

c. As to any person other than an individual, in accordance with the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey pertaining to service of process, provided, however, that service shall be made by the [director] commissioner; or

d. Any service as the Superior Court may direct in lieu of personal service within the State.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.15)

14. Section 16 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-57) is amended to read as follows:

16. If a person fails or refuses to file any statement or report requested by the [director] commissioner, or obey any subpoena issued by the [director] commissioner, the [director] commissioner may seek and obtain an order from the Superior Court:

a. Adjudging the person in contempt of court;

b. Granting injunctive relief, without notice, restraining any and all acts and practices for which a license is required in the provisions of this act;

c. Directing the payment of reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of the investigation and suit; and

d. Granting any other relief as may be required, until the person files the statement or report, or obeys the subpoena.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.16)

15. Section 17 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-58) is amended to read as follows:

17. a. Whenever it appears to the [director] commissioner that a person has engaged in, is engaging in, or is about to engage in, any practice which is a violation of the provisions of this act, the [director] commissioner may seek and obtain in a summary action in the Superior Court an injunction prohibiting the person from continuing the practices or engaging therein or doing any acts in furtherance thereof.

b. In addition to any other remedy, the court may: enjoin an individual from managing or owning any business organization within this State, and from serving as an officer, director, trustee, member of any executive board or similar governing body, principal, manager, stockholder owning 10% or more of the aggregate outstanding capital stock of all classes of any corporation doing business in this State; vacate or annul the charter of a corporation created by or under the laws of this State; revoke the certificate of authority to do business in this State of a foreign corporation; and revoke any licenses issued pursuant to law to the person whenever the charter, authority, or license have been or may be used to engage in or to further unlawful practices. The court may grant any relief as may be necessary to prevent the use or employment by a person of any unlawful practices, or which may be necessary to restore to any person in interest any moneys or property, real or personal, which may have been acquired by means of any practices declared to be unlawful.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.17)

16. Section 18 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-59) is amended to read as follows:

18. Whenever it appears to the [director] commissioner that a person has engaged in, is engaging in, or is about to engage in, any practice which is a violation of the provisions of this act, the [director] commissioner may hold hearings on the violation and upon finding the violation to have been committed, may enter an order:

a. Directing the person to cease and desist or refrain from committing the practice in the future;

b. Directing the person to restore to any person in interest any moneys or property, real or personal, which may have been acquired by means of any unlawful practice;

c. Assessing reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of investigation and suit;

d. Assessing a penalty in the amount authorized by the provisions of section 19 of this act, which the [director] commissioner deems proper under the circumstances; and

e. Directing the person to reimburse the job seeker for transportation expenses if no employment of the kind applied for exists at the place to which the job seeker is sent and the person did not have a bona fide order, either oral or written, from the prospective

employer.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.18)

17. Section 19 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-60) is amended to read as follows:

19. Whenever it appears to the [director] commissioner that a person against whom a cease and desist order has been entered has violated the order, the [director] commissioner may bring a summary proceeding in the Superior Court based upon the violation. A person found to have violated a cease and desist order shall be liable for civil penalties in the amount of not less than $1,000 or more than $25,000 for each violation of the order, together with reasonable attorneys' fees and cost of investigation and suit. If any person fails to pay a civil penalty imposed by the court for violation of a cease and desist order, the court imposing the penalty is authorized, upon application of the [director] commissioner, to grant any relief which may be obtained under any statute or court rule governing the collection and enforcement of penalties.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.19)

18. Section 21 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-62) is amended to read as follows:

21. In any action or proceeding brought under this act the [director] commissioner may recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of investigation and suit.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.21)

19. Section 22 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-63) is amended to read as follows:

22. Upon the failure of a person to comply within 10 days after service of any order of the [director] commissioner directing payment of penalties, costs, attorneys' fees, reimbursement, or restoration of moneys or property, the [director] commissioner may issue a certificate to the clerk of the Superior Court that the person is indebted to the State for these payments. A copy of the certificate shall be served upon the person against whom the order was entered. The clerk shall immediately enter upon his record of docketed judgments the name of the person so indebted, a designation of the statutes under which the payments are imposed, the amount of each payment imposed, and a listing of property ordered restored, and the date of the certification. The entry shall have the same force and effect as the entry of the docketed judgment in the Superior Court. The entry, however, shall be without prejudice to the right of appeal to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court from the final order of the [director] commissioner.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.22)

20. Section 23 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-64) is amended to read as follows:

23. a. Every consulting firm operating within this State shall, within 60 days following the effective date of this act and annually thereafter, register in writing with the chief on a form prescribed by regulation.

b. Each registration form shall state the firm's name, and any fictitious or trade name used in its operation, each primary location, including street and street number of the building and place where its business is to be conducted, and the names and residence addresses of its principal owners or officers.

c. The [director] commissioner shall establish by rule and collect an annual fee from firm registrants, which shall not be more than the fee paid by employment agencies, to be used to the extent necessary to defray expenses incurred by the bureau in the performance of its duties under this section.

d. In addition to any act or practice in violation of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), it shall be a violation of this act for any registrant or its agent to:

(1) Make, or cause to be made, publish or cause to be published, any false, misleading, or deceptive advertisement or representation concerning the services or products that the registrant provides to job seekers.

(2) Disseminate information to a job seeker knowing or recklessly disregarding information that:

(a) The job does not exist or the job seeker is not qualified for the job;

(b) The job has been described or advertised by or on behalf of the registered firm in a false, misleading, or deceptive manner;

(d) The registrant has not obtained written or oral permission to list the job from the employer or an authorized agent of the employer.

e. The [director] commissioner may refuse to issue, and may revoke, any registration for failure to comply with, or violation of, the provisions of this section or for any other good cause shown, within the meaning and purpose of this section. A refusal or revocation shall not be made except upon reasonable notice to, and opportunity to be heard by, the applicant or registrant.

f. The [director] commissioner, instead of revoking a registration, may suspend the registration for a period of time determined to be proper, or assess a penalty in lieu of suspension, or both, and may issue a new registration notwithstanding the revocation of a prior registration, provided that the applicant is found to have become entitled to the new registration.

g. A registered consulting firm shall be permitted to provide temporary help services in the course of its business.

h. A registered firm may engage in activities requiring registration under sections 24 and 25 of this act if it complies with the requirements of those sections.

i. Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this section or rules and regulations promulgated by the [director] commissioner shall be subject to the provisions of sections 14 through 22 of this act.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.23)

21. Section 24 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-65) is amended to read as follows:

24. a. Every career consulting or outplacement organization operating within this State shall, within 60 days following the effective date of this act and annually thereafter, register in writing with the chief on a form prescribed by regulation.

b. Each registration form shall state the organization's name, and any fictitious or trade name used in its operation, each primary location, including street and street number of the building and place where its business is to be conducted, and the names and residence addresses of its principal owners or officers.

c. In addition to registering pursuant to this section, each career consulting or outplacement organization shall notify the chief, in writing, whenever it utilizes any location, including mobile units, other than its primary location for services rendered to job seekers.

d. Every agent, duly authorized and empowered by the owner of the registered organization to solicit business or otherwise act as an agent of the registered organization, shall, within 60 days following the effective date of this act and annually thereafter, register, in writing, with the chief on a form prescribed by regulation.

e. The [director] commissioner shall establish by rule and collect an annual fee from organization and agent registrants, which shall not be more than that paid by employment agencies or agents, to be used to the extent necessary to defray all expenses incurred by the bureau in the performance of its duties under this section.

f. Each registered organization shall, at the time of its initial registration with the [director] commissioner and annually thereafter, post a bond in the amount of $10,000 with a duly authorized surety company as surety, to be approved by the [director] commissioner. The bond shall be retained by the chief until 90 days after either the expiration or revocation of the registration. The [director] commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations setting forth the terms and conditions of this bond and supply the prospective registrant firm with an approved form.

g. Every career consulting or outplacement organization registered under this section shall provide each prospective job seeker desiring its services or products with a written explanation of each service or product which it provides or makes available to job seekers and the price for each service or product which shall be made available to the job seeker at the time of the signing of any contract for services or products.

h. Any job seeker who signs a contract with any registered organization shall have the right to cancel the contract within three calendar days of the time of its signing and, upon the return of any materials provided to the job seeker by the registered organization, shall be entitled to receive a full refund of any fee, charge, or commission paid by the job seeker.

i. Not more than one-third of any fee, charge or commission shall be collected by the registered organization for its services or products more than 60 days in advance of the date on which the registrant provides its services or products as stated in its contract.

j. Every registered organization shall respond, in writing, within nine calendar days of receipt of any written complaint by a job seeker, stating the registered organization's position with respect to the complaint. Copies of a job seeker's complaint and the response shall be kept in a separate file by the registered organization for a period of one year after the date of the resolution of the complaint, or two years after the date of the complaint, whichever is later.

k. If a demand for refund is denied by a registered organization and if the denial is found to have been in bad faith or if the registered organization fails to respond to a demand for a refund, a court in an action instituted by the job seeker shall award damages to the job seeker in an amount not to exceed $200 in addition to actual damages sustained by the job seeker, together with reasonable attorneys' fees, filing fees, and reasonable costs of suit. If the registered organization refuses or is unable to pay the amount awarded by the court, the award may be satisfied out of the registered organization's bond.

l. A registered organization shall not:

(1) Negotiate a job seeker's compensation and demand or receive a percentage therefrom as a fee, charge, or commission unless the percentage fee, charge, or commission has been disclosed to and accepted by the job seeker in the contract;

(2) Contract with employers on behalf of a job seeker; or

(3) Solicit job openings from employers or otherwise act as an intermediary for job seekers.

m. Every contract for career consulting or outplacement organizations shall be in writing. A copy of the contract shall be given to the job seeker at the time the job seeker signs the contract. The contract shall contain all of the following:

(1) The name, address, and telephone number of the organization and the name of the organization's agent.

(2) The name and address of the individual signing the contract and the job seeker to whom the services are to be provided.

(3) A description of the services or products to be provided; a statement of when those services or products are to be provided and by which organizations, if other than the contracting organization; the term of the contract; and refund provisions, as applicable, if the described services or products are not provided according to the contract.

(4) The amount of the fee to be charged to or collected from the job seeker receiving the services or products or from any other individual, and the date or dates when that fee is required to be paid.

(5) The following statements, in at least 10-point bold-faced type:

"No verbal or written promise or guarantee of any job or employment is made or implied under the terms of this contract.

This organization is registered with the Bureau of Employment and Personnel Services of the State of New Jersey, (current address of the bureau). Inquiries concerning your contract may be sent to this address."

(6) The following statement, in at least 10-point bold-faced type:

"YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL

You may cancel this contract for services or products, without any penalty or obligation, if notice of cancellation is given, in writing, within three calendar days after you have signed this contract.

To cancel this contract, just mail or deliver a signed and dated copy of the following cancellation notice or any other written notice of cancellation, or send a telegram containing a notice of cancellation, to (name of registrant) at (address of its place of business), not later than midnight of the third calendar day after you signed this contract.

CANCELLATION NOTICE

I hereby cancel this contract.

Dated: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Job seeker's Signature

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Job seeker's Name (print)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address"

The requirement that the contract include this statement regarding the right to cancel shall not apply when time is of the essence and the services or products must be performed or provided within three calendar days of the date that the contract is entered into pursuant to the request of the job seeker, if the job seeker furnishes the registered organization with a separate dated and signed personal statement in the job seeker's own handwriting, describing the situation requiring the immediate provision of services or products and expressly acknowledging and waiving the right to cancel the contract within three calendar days.

(7) Any further information specified in regulations adopted by the [director] commissioner.

n. The requirements of this section shall not apply to any person who receives no prepayment for services or products from a job seeker and who:

(1) Provides services or products strictly on an hourly basis, with no financial obligation required of the job seeker beyond the hourly fee for services or products rendered; or

(2) Provides outplacement services exclusively as part of a job seeker's benefit or severance package with a current or former employer.

o. Newspaper advertising pertaining to services offered or provided in this State by career consulting or outplacement organizations appearing within or adjacent to help-wanted advertising shall contain the phrase "not an employment agency" in a clear, conspicuous, and prominent manner.

p. In addition to any act or practice in violation of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), it shall be a violation of this act for any registrant or its agent to:

(1) Make, or cause to be made, publish or cause to be published, any false, misleading, or deceptive advertisement or representations concerning the services or products that the registrant provides to job seekers.

(2) Disseminate information to a job seeker knowing or recklessly disregarding information that:

(a) The job does not exist or the job seeker is not qualified for the job;

(b) The job has been described or advertised by or on behalf of the registered organization in a false, misleading, or deceptive manner;

(d) The registrant has not obtained written or oral permission to list the job from the employer or any authorized agent of the employer.

q. The [director] commissioner may refuse to issue, and may revoke, any registration for any failure to comply with, or violation of, the provisions of this section or for any other good cause shown, within the meaning and purpose of this section. A refusal or revocation shall not be made except upon reasonable notice to, and opportunity to be heard by, the applicant or registrant. The [director] commissioner, instead of revoking any registration, may suspend the registration for a period of time as shall be determined to be appropriate, or assess a penalty in lieu of suspension, or both, and may issue a new registration notwithstanding the revocation of a prior registration provided that the applicant is found to have become entitled to the new registration.

r. A registered organization may engage in activities requiring registration under sections 23 and 25 of this act if it complies with the requirements of those sections.

s. Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this section or rules and regulations promulgated by the [director] commissioner shall be subject to sections 14 through 22 of this act.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.24)

22. Section 25 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-66) is amended to read as follows:

25. a. Every prepaid computer job matching service or job listing service operating or providing services or products within this State shall, within 60 days following the effective date of this act and annually thereafter, register, in writing, with the chief on a form prescribed by regulation.

b. Each registration form shall state the service's name and fictitious or trade name used in its operation, each primary location, including street and street number of the building and place where its business is to be conducted, and the names and residence addresses of its principal owners or officers.

c. In addition to registering pursuant to this section, a prepaid computer matching service or job listing service shall notify the bureau in writing whenever it utilizes any location, including mobile units, other than its primary location for the provision of services or products to job seekers.

d. Every agent, duly authorized and empowered by the owner of the registered service to solicit business or otherwise act as an agent of the registered service, shall, within 60 days following the effective date of this act and annually thereafter, register, in writing, with the chief on a form prescribed by regulation.

e. The [director] commissioner shall establish by rule and collect an annual fee from service and agent registrants, which shall not be more than that paid by employment agencies or agents, to be used to the extent necessary to defray all expenses incurred by the bureau in the performance of its duties under this section.

f. Each service applicant shall at the time of its initial registration with the [director] commissioner and annually thereafter, post a bond in the amount of $10,000 with a duly authorized surety company as surety, to be approved by the [director] commissioner. The bond shall be retained by the chief until 90 days after either the expiration or revocation of the registration. The [director] commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations setting forth the terms and conditions of this bond and supply the service applicant firm with an approved form.

g. Prior to the acceptance of a fee from a job seeker, a registered service shall provide the job seeker with a written contract which shall include the following:

(1) The name of the registered service and the address and telephone number of each primary or other location of the registered service providing the listing to the job seeker.

(2) Acknowledgement of receipt of the registered service's fee schedule.

(3) A description of the service or product to be performed or product to be provided by the registered service, including significant conditions, restrictions, and limitations where applicable.

(4) A description of the job seeker's specifications for the employment opportunity, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) Type of job.

(b) Interests of job seeker.

(d) Salary, benefits, and other conditions of employment.

(e) Location of job.

(5) The contract expiration date, which shall not be later than 90 days from the date of execution of the contract.

(6) A clause setting forth the right to a full refund of the fee paid in advance.

(7) The signature of the registered service's agent.

(8) The following statement, printed on the face of the contract in type no smaller than 10-point bold-faced type:

"This service is registered with the Bureau of Employment and Personnel Services of the State of New Jersey, (current address of bureau). Inquiries concerning your contract may be sent to this address."

(9) At the bottom of the contract a notice to the effect that the contract is the property of the job seeker and shall not be taken from the job seeker.

h. Every contract or receipt shall be made and numbered consecutively in original and duplicate, both to be signed by the job seeker and the service's agent. The original shall be given to the job seeker and the duplicate shall be kept on file at the service's primary location.

i. The form of contract proposed to be used by a registrant to effect compliance with this section shall be filed with the bureau prior to use. Any modification of a form previously filed with the bureau, including a change in the name or a primary location of the registered service, shall also be filed prior to use.

j. A registered service shall refund in full the advance fee paid by a job seeker if the service does not, within five calendar days after execution of the contract, supply at least three employment opportunities then available to the job seeker and meeting the specifications of the contract. A registered service will be deemed to have supplied information meeting the specifications of the job seeker if the information supplied meets the contract specifications with reference to:

(1) Name of employer and type of job;

(2) Interests of job seeker;

(3) Qualifications of job seeker;

(4) Salary, benefits, and other conditions of employment;

(5) Location of job; and

(6) Any other specification expressly set forth in the contract.

A demand for the return of the fee shall be made by or on behalf of the job seeker within 10 calendar days following the expiration of the five-day period referred to above by delivery or by registered or certified mail to the address of the office or location set forth in the contract.

k. A registered service shall refund any amount in excess of a $25 service charge to the job seeker if the job seeker does not obtain a job, provided that the job seeker demands a return of that part of the fee within 10 calendar days after the expiration of the contract.

l. If employment, once obtained, lasts less than 90 days, the fee paid shall be refunded as specified in subsection b. of section 10 of this act.

m. Each contract shall also contain refund provisions, approved by the bureau, which shall, unless different language is approved in writing by the bureau prior to use, read as follows:

"RIGHT TO REFUND

If within five calendar days after payment of any advance fee, the registrant has not supplied the job seeker with at least three available employment opportunities meeting the specifications of the contract as to (1) name of the employer and type of job; (2) interest of job seeker; (3) qualifications of job seeker; (4) salary, benefits, and other conditions of employment; (5) location of job; and (6) any other specification expressly set forth in the contract, the full amount of the fee paid shall be refunded to the job seeker within 10 calendar days after the expiration of the five-day period."

If the job seeker does not obtain a job through the services of the registered service, any amount paid in fees in excess of a $25 service charge shall be refunded to the job seeker, upon demand by the job seeker made within 10 calendar days of the expiration of the contract.

n. Every registered service shall respond, in writing, within nine calendar days of receipt of any written complaint by a job seeker, stating the registered service's position with respect to that complaint. A copy of a job seeker's complaint and the response shall be kept in a separate file by the registered service for a period of one year after the date of the resolution of the complaint, or two years after the date of the complaint, whichever is later.

o. If a demand for refund is denied by a registered service, and if the denial is found to have been in bad faith or if the registered service fails to respond to a demand for a refund, a court in an action instituted by the job seeker shall award damages to the job seeker in an amount not to exceed $200.00 in addition to actual damages sustained by the job seeker, together with reasonable attorneys' fees, filing fees, and reasonable costs of suit. If the registered service refuses or is unable to pay the amount awarded by the court, the award may be satisfied out of the registered service's bond.

p. In addition to any act or practice in violation of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), it shall be a violation of this act for any registrant or its agent to:

(2) Disseminate information to a job seeker knowing or recklessly disregarding information that:

(a) The job does not exist or the job seeker is not qualified for the job;

(b) The job has been described or advertised by or on behalf of the registered service in a false, misleading, or deceptive manner;

(d) The registrant has not obtained written or oral permission to list the job from the employer or an authorized agent of the employer.

q. The [director] commissioner may refuse to issue, and may revoke, any registration for any failure to comply with, or any violation of, the provisions of this section or for any other good cause shown, within the meaning and purpose of this section. A refusal shall not be made except upon reasonable notice to, and opportunity to be heard by, the applicant or registrant as the case may be. The [director] commissioner instead of revoking any registration may suspend the registration for a period of time as determined to be proper, or assess a penalty in lieu of suspension, or both; and may issue a new registration notwithstanding the revocation of a prior registration provided that the applicant is found to have become entitled to the new registration.

r. Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this section or rules and regulations promulgated by the [director] commissioner shall be subject to the provisions of sections 14 through 22 of this act.

(cf: P.L.1989, c.331, s.25)

23. (New section) a. All the powers, functions and duties exercised by the Attorney General, the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs within the Department of Law and Public Safety and the Chief of the Bureau of Employment and Personnel Services in the Division of Consumer Affairs within the Department of Law and Public Safety pursuant to P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-43 et seq.) are hereby transferred to and vested in the Commissioner of Labor and the Chief of the Bureau of Employment and Personnel Services within the Department of Labor.

b. All rules and regulations promulgated by the Attorney General or Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs within the Department of Law and Public Safety pursuant to P.L.1989, c.331 (C.34:8-43 et seq.) shall remain in full force and effect until they are superseded by the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Labor.

c. All orders of the Attorney General, the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs within the Department of Law and Public Safety and the Chief of the Bureau of Employment and Personnel Services in the Division of Consumer Affairs within the Department of Law and Public Safety shall be continued in full force and effect unless modified or disapproved by the Commissioner of Labor.

24. Section 14 of P.L.1981, c.1 (C.56:8-1.1) and section 2 of P.L.1989, c.331 (C.52:17B-139.4) are repealed.

25. This act shall take effect on the 180th day following enactment and the commissioner may take such actions as are necessary to implement its provisions before the effective date.

STATEMENT

This bill transfers the regulation of employment agencies, consulting firms, career consulting or outplacement organizations, prepaid computer job matching services and job listing services from the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety to the Department of Labor.

The bill provides for more comprehensive regulation of temporary help service firms by regulating them as employment agencies as was the case before 1981. In addition, employment agencies supplying temporary workers are required to provide written contracts to such workers and include in the contract: the name of the supervisor, if known; a description of the tasks to be done by the job seeker and the skills and experience expected of the job seeker by the customer; the period of the assignment; the hours of work; the dress code of the customer in the workplace; any worker rights; and any known hazards at the work site to which the job seeker is being assigned. The bill also requires employment agencies to report to the Commissioner of Labor temporary employment placement statistics to determine the extent and structure of such temporary employment in New Jersey.

Provides for regulation of employment agencies by Department of Labor and regulates temporary help service firms as employment agencies.