[Passed Both Houses]

SENATE, No. 631

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 5, 1996

By Senators CAFIERO and SINGER

An Act authorizing special preference in appointments and promotions for certain former members of the United States Coast Guard and amending N.J.S.11A:5-12.

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

    1. N.J.S.11A:5-12 is amended to read as follows:

    11A:5-12. Employment or promotion of persons awarded [Congressional] Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross or Navy Cross. Any individual who has served in the Army, Air Force, Navy, or Marine Corps of the United States and who has been awarded the [Congressional] Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross or Navy Cross, while a resident of this State, and any individual who has served in the United States Coast Guard and who has been awarded the Medal of Honor or the Navy Cross while a resident of this State, shall be appointed or promoted without complying with the rules of the board. The appointing authority to whom the individual applies for appointment or promotion shall, at its discretion, appoint or promote that person. Upon promotion or appointment, that person shall become subject to the rules of the board. A person who qualifies under this section shall not be limited to only one appointment or promotion.

(cf: N.J.S.11A:5-12)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill provides that former members of the United States Coast Guard who have been awarded the Medal of Honor or the Navy Cross while a resident of this State shall be appointed or promoted to a career service position without complying with the rules of the Merit System Board. The appointing authority to whom the individual applies for appointment or promotion shall, at its discretion, appoint or promote that person. Upon promotion or appointment, that person shall become subject to the rules of the board. A person who qualifies under this act shall not be limited to only one appointment or promotion.

    At present, this privilege is granted to any individual who has served in the Army, Air Force, Navy, or Marine Corps of the United States and who has been awarded the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross or Navy Cross while a resident of this State.

    The bill also updates the existing reference to the "Congressional Medal of Honor," which is now called the "Medal of Honor."

Authorizes special preference in appointments and promotions for former members of the Coast Guard who have received the Medal of Honor or Navy Cross.