A4878

An Act concerning diversity and anti-bias training for those holding elective public office and supplementing various sections of statutory law.

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

1. The Legislature shall provide diversity and anti-bias training for its members. Each member of the Legislature shall take the training once per term of office either in-person or online. A certificate of completion shall be submitted to the Legislative Counsel. The certificate of completion shall be public information.

2. Every county shall provide diversity and anti-bias training for the members of its governing body holding elective public office, all constitutional officers, the county executive in counties that have adopted the county executive plan of the “Optional County Charter Law,” P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-1 et seq.), and the register of deeds and mortgages in counties that have an established elective office of register of deeds and mortgages. Each person shall take the training once per term of office either in-person or online. A certification of completion shall be submitted to the clerk of the board of chosen freeholders. The certificate of completion shall be public information.

For purposes of this section, “constitutional officer” includes county clerks, surrogates, and sheriffs.

3. Every municipality shall provide diversity and anti-bias training for the members of its governing body holding elective public office. Each member shall take the training once per term of office either in-person or online. A certificate of completion shall be submitted to the municipal clerk. The certificate of completion shall be public information.

For purposes of this section, “municipality” includes any city, town, township, village, or borough.

4. Every school district shall provide diversity and anti-bias training for the members of its governing body holding elective public office. Each member shall take the training once per term of office either in-person or online. A certification of completion shall be submitted to the Department of Education. The certificate of completion shall be public information.

5. Every fire district shall provide diversity and anti-bias training for the members of its governing body holding elective public office. Each member shall take the training once per term of office either in-person or online. A certificate of completion shall be submitted to the municipal clerk. The certificate of completion shall be public information.

6. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2021 but the Legislature, counties, municipalities, school districts, and fire districts may take any anticipatory action in advance of that date as may be necessary for the timely implementation of this act.

STATEMENT

This bill would require diversity and anti-bias training for elected members of the Legislature and the governing bodies of counties, municipalities, school districts, and fire districts. Training would also be required for all constitutional officers including county clerks, surrogates, and sheriffs. In addition, county executives and registers of deeds and mortgages would be required to take the training in counties that have established and hold elections for those positions.

The training would have to be completed at least once per term of office either in-person or online. Once the training has been completed, a certificate of completion will be sent to the Legislative Counsel, the clerk for the board of chosen freeholders, the municipal clerk, or the Department of Education. Such certificates of completion will be considered public information.

In discharging their official duties, those who hold elective public office impact people of all backgrounds and cultures. In conducting their important work, it is critically important for them to understand the diverse backgrounds of the people they serve while eliminating any internal biases they may have.