CHAPTER 431

An Act concerning certain executive directors of housing authorities and amending P.L.1992, c.79.

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

    1.    Section 18 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-18) is amended to read as follows:

C.40A:12A-18 Executive director of housing authority.

    18.  The executive director of a housing authority shall have attained a degree from an accredited four year college or university in a public administration, social science, or other appropriate program, and shall have at least five years' experience in public administration, public finance, realty, or similar professional employment. A master's degree in an appropriate program may substitute for two years of that experience. An executive director holding that position prior to or on January 18, 1992 and possessing the required work experience and holding certification as a Public Housing Manager (PHM) from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, or equivalent certification from a nationally recognized professional association in the housing and redevelopment field, shall not be required to meet the educational requirement, except as otherwise provided in section 45 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-45) and shall be deemed qualified for continued employment as executive director of the authority in which he holds that post and eligible for equivalent employment in any other local public housing authority in this State.

    The executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the members of the authority, and may be relieved of his duties only after not less than 120 days' notice. The authority may provide that the executive director shall be the appointing authority for all or any portion of the employees of the authority. The executive director shall assign and supervise employees in the performance of their duties. A housing authority may elect to adopt or not to adopt the provisions of Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes regardless of whether the establishing county or municipality has or has not adopted those provisions.

    2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

    Approved January 19, 1998.