CHAPTER 27

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

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

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

C.40A:12A-46 Completion of course of study by incumbent members, executive directors.

    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 eighteen months following the date of appointment or July 1, 1997, 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 P.L.1992, c.79 may continue to serve to the end of his appointed term even if the remaining period in that term exceeds eighteen months 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 until a period of five years has elapsed following the completion of the member's term.

    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.

    c. Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule, regulation, or this section to the contrary, any person deemed to have resigned his position pursuant to subsection a. or b. of this section and who has been replaced by another appointee shall have no claim to the appointment.

    2. Section 48 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-48) is amended to read as follows:

C.40A:12A-48 Waiving of course requirements.

    48. The commissioner may waive the course requirements set forth in sections 46 and 47 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-46 and 40A:12A-47) for any person whom the commissioner determines to be qualified to serve as a member or executive director of a housing authority or redevelopment agency by reason of adequate and equivalent training or professional experience, or a combination thereof. The commissioner may extend credit toward completion of the course requirements for equivalent or nearly equivalent courses completed by an individual under the sponsorship of a professional organization.

    The commissioner may accept as fulfilling the course requirements set forth in sections 46 and 47 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-46 and 40A:12A-47) any course prescribed therein and taken by an individual at that individual's own expense at a time when the individual was not serving as a member or executive director of a housing authority or redevelopment agency.

    3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall be retroactive to June 5, 1995.

    Approved March 7, 1997.