Bill Text: NJ A4621 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Requires issuance of report on certain information and data on processing of applications for professional and occupational licenses and mandates review of training and call intake in Division of Consumer Affairs.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Vetoed) 2024-01-16 - Pocket Veto - Bills not Acted on by Governor-end of Session [A4621 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-A4621-Amended.html
ASSEMBLY, No. 4621
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 22, 2022
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman GABRIELA M. MOSQUERA
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
Assemblyman LOUIS D. GREENWALD
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
Assemblywoman LISA SWAIN
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Requires issuance of report on certain information and data on processing of applications for professional and occupational licenses and mandates review of training and call intake in Division of Consumer Affairs.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee on February 13, 2023, with amendments.
An Act concerning applications for professional and occupational licensure and supplementing Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety (the "division") shall review and collect information and data, and compile a report for release to the Governor and the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), on the following items in regards to the professions or occupations regulated by the division or a board, committee or other entity with the division:
(1) the number of outstanding applications for an initial license 1or other initial credential issued by the specific entity1;
(2) the average amount of time needed to approve or otherwise process an application for initial licensure 1or other initial credential1 ;
(3) the number of incomplete applications received that require additional contact with the 1[individual] applicant1 to complete the application and a list of the most common omissions and most common errors made that render an application incomplete;
(4) the monthly average of the number of incoming calls received from applicants 1[for an initial license] , to include, if possible to calculate, a categorization of the reasons for calls and how many calls are received in each category,1 and the monthly average of the number of inquiries received through a call that are answered;
(5) the amount of funding expended to retain division employees;
(6) initiatives undertaken to recruit and retain new division employees;
(7) 1the percentage of completed applications for initial licensure or other credential over the past five years to include a calculation of the number of applications that have taken at least twice as long to process in comparison to the average time to process an application;
(8)1 the amount of funding expended to improve information technology ("IT"); and
1[(8)] (9)1 initiatives undertaken to improve current or to modernize IT.
b. The report required pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be submitted six months after the enactment of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
2. The Attorney General, or a designee, shall develop and administer training specific to a profession and occupation for new employees hired to process initial applications for licensure in the specific profession or occupation.
3. The Attorney General, or a designee, shall review the feasibility of outsourcing phone call intake and response to businesses or associations that assist individuals seeking a license in a specific profession or occupation.
4. This act shall take effect immediately and section 1 shall expire upon the submission of the report by the division.
