Bill Text: NJ A2292 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes alternative application and issuance procedure for employment certificates, age certificates, and special permits during state of emergency.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-02-07 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee [A2292 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-A2292-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes alternative application and issuance procedure for employment certificates, age certificates, and special permits during state of emergency.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the issuance of employment certificates, age certificates, and special permits during a state of emergency.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, for the duration of the public health emergency and state of emergency declared by the Governor under Executive Order 103 of 2020 or until the start of the 2022-2023 school year, whichever is later, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development shall establish an alternate procedure for the issuance of employment certificates, age certificates, and special permits under P.L.1940, c.153 (C.34:2-21.1 et seq.).
b. Under the alternate procedure, an individual applying for an employment certificate, age certificate, or special permit may submit the application either by mail or through an online portal created and maintained by the department. An application shall include the following documentation as deemed necessary by the department:
(1) evidence of age showing that the minor is of the age required by law to work;
(2) a promise of employment signed by the prospective employer or by someone duly authorized by the employer setting forth the specific nature of the occupation in which he intends to employ the minor, the wages to be paid to the minor, and the number of hours per day and days per week the minor will be employed; and
(3) evidence of approval by the parent or guardian of the minor's employment.
c. Upon approval of the application, the department shall issue and forward the employment certificate, age certificate, or special permit as appropriate, and return the supporting documentation.
d. In accordance with the provisions of section 16 of P.L.1940, c.153 (C.34:2-21.16), no fees or expenses incurred in obtaining any certificate or special permit shall be charged to or paid by any child, parent, guardian, or other person having custody and control of the child for any services under this act.
e. The Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development shall notify the Commissioner of Education and every board of education of the alternate procedure established pursuant to this act. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Department of Education shall post in a prominent location on their Internet websites, information on the alternate procedure to be followed for the issuance of employment certificates, age certificates, and special permits for the duration of the public health emergency and state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to Executive Order 103 of 2020 or until the start of the 2022-2023 school year, whichever is later.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Under current law, in order for a minor to obtain an employment certificate, age certificate, or special permit, more commonly known as "working papers," an individual has to submit an application to an issuing officer. Issuing officers are defined as superintendents, supervising principals, or teachers designated by a board of education.
As schools across the State remain closed due to the current state of emergency, and with the end of the school year quickly approaching, establishing an alternative procedure for the issuance of "working papers" is critical to providing students access to summer employment at businesses across the State; for example, in the sponsor's district, at the State's largest amusement park, Six Flags Great Adventure.
This bill provides the Department of Labor and Workforce Development with the authority to issue the certificates and special permits for the duration of the public health emergency declared by the Governor under Executive Order 103 issued in response to the coronavirus pandemic or until the start of the 2022-2023 school year, whichever is later.
Under the bill, an individual applying for a certificate or special permit will submit an application to the department either by mail or through an online portal to be established and maintained by the department. The application will include the following documentation as deemed necessary by the department: (1) evidence of age showing that the minor is of the age required by law to work; (2) a promise of employment signed by the prospective employer or by someone duly authorized by the employer setting forth the specific nature of the occupation in which he intends to employ the minor, the wages to be paid to the minor, and the number of hours per day and days per week the minor will be employed; and (3) evidence of approval by the parent or guardian of the minor's employment.
Upon approval of the application, the department will issue and forward the employment certificate, age certificate, or special permit as appropriate, and return the supporting documentation.
This bill directs the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Department of Education to post in a prominent location on their Internet websites, information on the alternate procedures to be followed for the issuance of employment certificates, age certificates, and special permits for the duration of the public health emergency and state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to Executive Order 103 of 2020 or until the start of the 2022-2023 school year, whichever is later.
