Sponsored by:
Assemblyman NICHOLAS CHIARAVALLOTI
District 31 (Hudson)
Assemblyman JAMES J. KENNEDY
District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex)
Assemblywoman AURA K. DUNN
District 25 (Morris and Somerset)
Senator NELLIE POU
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Senator JOSEPH F. VITALE
District 19 (Middlesex)
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Senator CHRIS A. BROWN
District 2 (Atlantic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Verrelli, Zwicker, Mukherji, Assemblywoman McKnight, Senators Addiego, Bateman, Cardinale, O'Scanlon, Pennacchio, Singer and Testa
SYNOPSIS
Permits professional and occupational licensing boards to reactivate licensure of certain individuals during state of emergency or public health emergency.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning professional and occupational licenses, and supplementing P.L.1999, c.403 (C.45:1-7.1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to P.L.1942, c.251 (C.App.A:9-33 et seq.), or a public health emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.), and with the approval of the Attorney General, a professional or occupational licensing board within the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety or, with regard to any industry regulated by the division, the director of the division, as applicable, may reactivate a license, certificate of registration or certification on an expedited basis to any individual who held a corresponding license, certificate of registration or certification, in good standing at the time that the individual retired from active practice or was placed on the inactive status, within the last three years, or such other timeframe as the director may specify. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, and to effectuate the purposes of this act, the board or director, as applicable, may take additional action necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare, including but not limited to:
a. Temporarily waive any requirements contained in section 2 of P.L.2013, c.182 (C.45:1-7.4), relating to the renewal, reinstatement or reactivation of a license, certification or registration, including fees, job listings or continuing education requirements;
b. Prescribe the duration and terms of any license, certificate of registration or certification granted pursuant to this section; or
c. Require any individual granted a license, certificate of registration or certification pursuant to this section to practice the profession or occupation in this State, as deemed necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill allows the director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, with the approval of the Attorney General, to reactivate a license, registration or certification on an expedited basis when the Governor has declared a state of emergency. The bill provides that the director may reactivate a license, certificate of registration or certification on an expedited basis to any individual who held a corresponding license, certificate of registration or certification, in good standing at the time that the individual retired from active practice or was placed on the inactive status, within the last three years, or such other timeframe as the director may specify. The bill gives the director and applicable boards the ability to waive certain requirements normally required in the licensure process, to prescribe the duration and terms of any license, certificate of registration or certification granted pursuant to the bill, and to require any individual granted a license, certificate of registration or certification to practice the profession or occupation in this State, as deemed necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare.