[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 1268

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED JUNE 3, 1996

 

 

By Senators O'CONNOR, BENNETT, Sacco and McGreevey

 

 

An Act concerning study courses required of local housing authority and municipal redevelopment agency members, 1[and]1 amending P.L.1992, c.79 1and making an appropriation1.

 

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

 

    1[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)]1

 

    1[2.] 1.1 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 1[one year] eighteen months1 following the date of appointment or [the effective date of the rules] July 1, 1[1998] 19971, 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 1[this act] P.L.1992, c.791 may continue to serve to the end of his appointed term even if the remaining period in that term exceeds 1[one year] eighteen months1 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 1until a period of five years has elapsed following the completion of the member's term1.

    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.

    1c. Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule, regulation, or this section to the contrary, any person deemed to have resigned his position pursuant to subsections a. or b. of this section and who has been replaced by another appointee shall have no claim to the appointment.1

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

 

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

    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 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.1

(cf: P.L.1992, c.79, s.48)

 

 

    13. (New section) There is appropriated to the Department of Community Affairs from the General Fund the sum of $90,000 to assist local housing authorities in the payment of the costs of the course of study.1

 

    1[3.] 4.1 This act shall take effect immediately 1and shall be retroactive to June 5, 19951.

 

 

                             

 

Changes curriculum study options and completion deadlines for housing authority and redevelopment agency members; appropriates $90,000.