Bill

Bill > A150


NJ A150

NJ A150
Eliminates seniority in Civil Service and other jurisdictions for reductions in force in certain circumstances.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would modify existing civil service rules to permit the State, a county or a municipality to lay off, as part of a reduction in force, individuals with more seniority in the event the less senior individual possesses essential skills necessary to meet the needs of the county or municipality. When terminating a more senior employee instead of a less senior employee, the appointing authority must certify to the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission that the less senior employee has specialized skills, licenses, certifications, or other qualifications that the more senior employee does not possess and that those skills are essential to the operation of the county or municipal department. In the event that the reduction in force occurs in a county or municipality that has not adopted the civil service rules, the appointing authority must notify the Public Employment Relations Commission of the pending layoffs and gain their approval prior to implementing the layoffs. Finally, the bill expands the authority of the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission. Under the bill, counties and municipalities must receive permission from the chairperson of the commission prior to implementing a reduction in force that does not follow seniority rules.

AI Summary

This bill allows state, county, and municipal governments to lay off employees with more seniority than less senior employees in certain situations, specifically when the less senior employee possesses essential skills, licenses, certifications, or other qualifications that the more senior employee lacks and are crucial for the department's operation. The appointing authority must certify these essential skills to the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, who is the head of the commission that oversees public employment relations. For jurisdictions that have not adopted civil service rules, the appointing authority must notify and get approval from the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC), a state agency that handles labor disputes in public employment, before implementing layoffs that deviate from seniority rules. This bill also expands the authority of the Civil Service Commission chairperson, requiring them to approve any reduction in force that doesn't follow standard seniority procedures.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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