ASSEMBLY, No. 2598

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 16, 1996

By Assemblymen DORIA and KELLY

An Act concerning study courses required of local housing authority and municipal redevelopment agency members, and amending P.L.1992, c.79.

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

    1. Section 45 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-45) is amended to read as follows:

    45. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall prescribe and enforce standards for the curriculum and administration of a course of study as he deems appropriate, the object of which shall be to assist members and executive directors of local housing authorities and municipal redevelopment agencies to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to oversee and administer the operations of such authorities or agencies in accordance with current law and in the best interests of the citizens served by such authorities. The commissioner shall adopt the standards by administrative rule, pursuant to the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).

    The course shall consist of instruction in the principles of housing and redevelopment, which may include, but not be limited to, construction management and code compliance, financial management and public administration, and such other topics as the commissioner may deem appropriate. The commissioner shall, to the greatest extent possible, cooperate with organizations of housing authority representatives and redevelopment agency representatives, and shall consult with Rutgers, The State University, and other educational institutions in establishing the standards for the curriculum and administration of the course of study, as provided above. The commissioner shall include as part of the prescribed course of study a home-study option for members of an authority or agency.

(cf: P.L.1992, c.79, s.45)

    2. Section 46 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-46) is amended to read as follows:

    46. a. Any person serving as a member of a housing authority or a redevelopment agency on or after the effective date of the rules adopted pursuant to section 45 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-45) shall satisfactorily complete the course of study prescribed by the commissioner within one year following the date of appointment or [the effective date of the rules] July 1, 1998, whichever is later, or shall be deemed to have resigned his position effective at the end of that period of time.

    Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a person serving as a member of a housing authority or redevelopment agency on the effective date of the rules adopted pursuant to section 45 of this act may continue to serve to the end of his appointed term even if the remaining period in that term exceeds one year and the member does not satisfactorily complete the prescribed course of study within that time. However, such a member shall not be eligible for reappointment to membership on the housing authority or redevelopment agency.

    b. Any person serving as the executive director of a housing authority or redevelopment agency on or after the effective date of the rules adopted pursuant to section 45 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-45) shall satisfactorily complete the course of study prescribed by the commissioner within two years after the effective date of the rules or the effective date of his appointment, whichever is later, or shall be deemed to have resigned his position effective at the end of that period of time.

(cf: P.L.1992, c.79, s.46)

    3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill would amend the "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law," P.L.1992, c.79, to change the date by which members of housing authorities and redevelopment agencies must have completed the course of study required by the law, and to add a home-study option as part of the required course of study under the law.

    Current law requires that a member complete the course of study prescribed by the commissioner within one year following the date of appointment or the effective date of the rules, whichever is later. The effective date of the rules is June 5, 1995 (N.J.A.C.5:16).

    This bill would allow an individual to complete the curriculum by July 1, 1998 or within one year following the date of appointment,

whichever is later. Additionally, the bill would require the commissioner to prescribe a home-study option as part of the required course of study for members.

Changes curriculum study options and completion deadlines for housing authority and redevelopment agency members.