NJ S2137

Bill

Requires civil service examination for police and correctional police officers to include questions to identify implicit racial bias.

Introduced
01/09/2024

In Committee
01/09/2024

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires the State Civil Service Commission to include on the Civil Service entry-level law enforcement examination questions designed to identify implicit bias, including racial bias, in candidates applying for appointment to law enforcement officer positions. The test is required for applicants for municipal and county police officers, adult and juvenile correctional police officers, sheriff's officers, and other law enforcement officer positions. Implicit bias refers to unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions and may cause feelings and attitudes about other people based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, age, and appearance.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that the State Civil Service Commission, working with testing experts, must incorporate questions into the Civil Service Examination for entry-level law enforcement positions that are designed to detect implicit bias, which refers to unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that can influence a person's understanding, actions, and decisions, particularly concerning race. This change will affect candidates applying for various law enforcement roles, including municipal and county police officers, correctional police officers, and sheriff's officers, and is intended to address potential biases that could impact their professional conduct.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (6)

Joe Cryan (D)*, Vin Gopal (D)*, Nellie Pou (D), Teresa Ruiz (D), Troy Singleton (D), Shirley Turner (D),

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S2137

(3 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S2137
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2500/2137_I1.HTM
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S2500/2137_I1.HTM

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
A4053	Requires civil service examination for police and correctional police officers to include questions to identify implicit racial bias.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee	Carry Over
A900	Requires civil service examination for police and correctional police officers to include questions to identify implicit racial bias.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee	Same As
S498	Requires civil service examination for police and correctional police officers to include questions to identify implicit racial bias.	Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee	Carry Over

Bill > S2137

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (6)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary