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NJ S4242
NJ S4242Establishes Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in each State department or agency.
summary
Introduced
03/03/2025
03/03/2025
In Committee
03/03/2025
03/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill establishes an Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in each State department or agency. The head of each State department or agency, or the Governor, as appropriate, will appoint a Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, and the officer will be the administrator and head of the office. The bill requires the office to serve as a centralized location for expertise and data on diversity, equity, and inclusion and to engage in programs, initiatives, and policies to support cross-cultural education and employee engagement. The office will analyze and report on data relevant to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and identify and advise on improvements to operational processes and systems within the State department or agency to align with diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices with the goal of facilitating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. The office will also develop and deliver diversity, equity, and inclusion training tailored to the State department or agency's functions and requirements. The bill also requires the office to use its data for informing the State's efforts only as authorized under State and federal law to advance equity and inclusion for the diverse communities in this State. The office will not use or share data for the use of civil immigration enforcement.
AI Summary
This bill establishes an Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in each state department or agency in New Jersey, with each office led by a Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer appointed by the department head or governor. The officer must be qualified by training and experience, working full-time to administer the office's functions, which include serving as a centralized hub for DEI expertise and data, developing cross-cultural education and employee engagement programs, analyzing diversity-related data, identifying improvements to operational processes, and creating tailored DEI training for each agency. The bill emphasizes considering an individual's lived experience with diversity when hiring office staff and stipulates that the office can use its data only to advance equity and inclusion as authorized by state and federal law, explicitly prohibiting the use of data for civil immigration enforcement. Importantly, the bill clarifies that it does not create any enforceable substantive rights for third parties, and the offices can expand their duties in response to emerging needs affecting diverse communities. The legislation will take effect immediately upon enactment.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 03/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4242 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4500/4242_I1.HTM |
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