SCR50

A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend Article VII of the Constitution of the State of New Jersey.

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

1. The following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey is hereby agreed to:

Amend Article VII, Section I by the addition of a new paragraph 2A to read as follows:

2A. After January 1, 1997, no person in the employ of the State or a political subdivision thereof, regardless of any prior civil service standing, term of appointment, or tenure, shall have permanent status. A person employed by the State or a political subdivision may be employed pursuant to a contract of employment with the State or political subdivision which shall not exceed five years in duration.

The provisions of this paragraph shall supercede any other provision of this Constitution which establishes a term of office for an appointed official, including persons appointed pursuant to Article VI. The provisions of this paragraph shall not affect the term of any elected public official which is established by this Constitution or by law.

As used in this paragraph, "political subdivision" means a county, municipality, school district, county or municipal authority, or regional authority or district other than an interstate authority or district.

2. When this proposed amendment to the Constitution is finally agreed to pursuant to Article IX, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, it shall be submitted to the people at the next general election occurring more than three months after the final agreement and shall be published at least once in at least one newspaper of each county designated by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly and the Secretary of State, not less than three months prior to the general election.

3. This proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted to the people at that election in the following manner and form:

There shall be printed on each official ballot to be used at the general election, the following:

a. In every municipality in which voting machines are not used, a legend which shall immediately precede the question, as follows:

If you favor the proposition printed below make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (•) in the square opposite the word 'Yes.' If you are opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (•) in the square opposite the word 'No.'

		CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ELIMINATING PERMANENT STATUS FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE AND ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS
	YES	Shall the amendment of Article VII, Section I of the State Constitution, agreed to by the Legislature, eliminating permanent status for all persons employed by the State and its political subdivisions and providing that such persons may be employed pursuant to contracts of employment which shall not exceed five years in duration, be approved?
		INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
	NO	At present, many persons employed by the State and its political subdivisions, including teachers and judges, achieve permanent status after a relatively brief period of employment. This amendment would eliminate tenure and permanent status for all persons employed by the State and its political subdivisions as of January 1, 1997 regardless of any prior civil service standing, term of appointment, or tenure. It would allow a person in the employ of the State or a political subdivision to be employed pursuant to a contract of employment not to exceed five years in duration. The amendment would not affect the terms of elected officials.

This concurrent resolution proposes an amendment to the State Constitution eliminating tenure and permanent status for all employees of the State and political subdivisions, including teachers and judges, as of January 1, 1997. It would allow a public employee to be employed pursuant to a contract of employment not to exceed five years in duration.

Proposes Constitutional Amendment eliminating permanent status for State and local public employees.