SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
SENATE, No. 685
with committee amendments
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: JULY 28, 2020
The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 685, with committee amendments.
As amended, this bill would permit a municipality to adopt an ordinance prohibiting an applicant from obtaining employment with the municipal police department, paid fire department, or part-paid fire department unless the applicant agrees to remain a resident of the municipality for the first five years of employment. The bill also permits this residency requirement to be established for county and regional police and fire forces. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Community Affairs would have to approve such a requirement before it may take effect. In any local jurisdiction with such a requirement, an applicant would have six months from the date the applicant begins official duties, following all requisite training, to relocate to the municipality, county, or region served by the force.
The bill would allow an exception to this residency requirement if any member of the fire department or police department suffers injury, or a threat of injury, to his person, family, or property, committed by another who acts with purpose to: (1) intimidate the member because of his status as a member; (2) manipulate an investigation; or (3) otherwise influence the member to violate his official duty.
This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:
The committee amended the bill to require the approval of the Commissioner of Community Affairs before any local residency requirement for police and fire forces may take effect. The amendments also make technical changes, including a statutory update.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This bill is not certified as requiring a fiscal note.