ASSEMBLY, No. 1017
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2020 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman JOANN DOWNEY
District 11 (Monmouth)
Assemblyman ERIC HOUGHTALING
District 11 (Monmouth)
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Vainieri Huttle, Speight and Jasey
SYNOPSIS
Requires Division of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action create “Model Employer for Persons with Disabilities” program for State government.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Human Services Committee on March 17, 2021, with amendments.
An Act requiring the Division of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action to create a “Model Employer for 1[People] Persons1 with Disabilities” program and supplementing chapter 7 of Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. 1[a.]1 The Legislature finds and declares that:
1a.1 The United States spends approximately $300 billion annually to support unemployed 1[people] persons1 with disabilities who could be, and are willing to be, employed.
1b.1 When 1[people] persons1 with disabilities become employed, they achieve a vocational identity. 1[People] Persons1 with and without disabilities who achieve this vocational identity have more disposable income, pay taxes, purchase more goods and services, and have increased financial security.
1c.1 In addition, people who are gainfully employed are more independent and self-confident, and in many instances, no longer rely on costly government programs and subsidies.
1d. Although1 New Jersey has policies regarding the employment of 1[people] persons1 with disabilities 1[and should] 1, it is in the best interests of the citizens of this State to1 develop and implement programs to increase the number of employees with disabilities working in State agencies.
1[b. The Division of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action in the Civil Service Commission shall develop and implement a “Model Employer for People with Disabilities” program. The program shall include policies and procedures to increase the number of qualified employees with disabilities working in State agencies. At a minimum, the programs shall include: a review of State agency hiring procedures; placement and advancement opportunities for people with disabilities; and programs to increase outreach activities about job openings to people with disabilities.
The division shall promulgate, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this act.
c. A biannual report shall be prepared and distributed to the Governor and the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1). The report may include recommendations for legislation, and at a minimum, shall include Statewide goals, if any, and a study of government employment patterns for people with disabilities.
d. For the purposes of this act, “State agency” shall mean and include every department, division, office, agency or bureau of this State, or any authority.]1
12. a. The Division of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action in the Civil Service Commission shall develop and implement a “Model Employer for Persons with Disabilities” program. The program shall develop policies and procedures to increase the number of qualified employees with disabilities working in State agencies. At a minimum, the program shall include:
(1) a review of State agency hiring procedures;
(2) placement and advancement opportunities for persons with disabilities; and
(3) activities to increase outreach to job openings for persons with disabilities.
b. The division shall prepare and distribute to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature a biannual report on the “Model Employer for Persons with Disabilities” program. The report shall include, at a minimum, information on government employment patterns for persons with disabilities and any recommendations for legislation the division deems appropriate to effectuate the purposes of the program.
c. As used in this section, “state agency” means any authority, department, division, office, agency, or bureau of this State.1
13. The Division of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action in the Civil Service Commission shall promulgate, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this act.1
1[2.] 4.1 This act shall take effect immediately.