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Bill

A 2375

Relates to the definition of special franchise property

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ari Brown and 6 co-sponsors

Establishes a Class Two SLEO hiring preference for initial municipal police appointments, ranking after veterans and the child of a fallen officer.

REFERRED TO REAL PROPERTY TAXATION
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Bill Summary · A 2375

Bill A 2375 — Summary

Note: The bill title in the legislative record reads “Relates to the definition of special franchise property,” but the introduced text and statements describe changes to hiring preferences for Class Two special law enforcement officers. This summary reflects the substantive provisions in the introduced version and accompanying statement.

Overview

  • Purpose: Establish a new hiring preference for Class Two special law enforcement officers (SLEOs) seeking municipal law enforcement positions. The preference is added within the existing framework for appointment classifications and is to be applied to initial appointments (not promotions). The bill applies to both civil service and non-civil service municipal agencies that classify applicants.
  • Status and procedure: Introduced in the Assembly on January 9, 2024. Referred to Assembly committees (Public Safety and Preparedness). In 2025, the bill is listed as referred to the Real Property Taxation Committee. Related companion bills exist (e.g., S 3175).

What the bill would change (Key provisions)

  • Amendments to the classification-based appointment system (P.L.1976, c.132; C.40A:14-123.1a):
    • The current framework classifies applicants into four classes for municipal police appointments, within each class applying veterans preferences and related rules.
    • The bill creates and recognizes a specific hiring preference for Class Two SLEOs. This preference sits after the established preferences for: 1) Veterans, within each class, and 2) Applicants whose natural or adoptive parent was killed in the lawful discharge of official duties as a law enforcement officer (the “child of fallen officer” preference).
    • Specifically, when a veteran and a non-veteran whose parent was killed are both duly qualified, the veteran is given first preference. The bill adds that Class Two SLEOs (as defined under P.L.1985, c.439, C40A:14-146.8 et seq.) who are duly qualified would receive the next tier of preference, effectively placing Class Two SLEOs ahead of other non-veteran applicants in the class order after veterans and fallen-officer children.
  • Operational scope:
    • Applies to initial appointments (not promotional) for municipal police departments.
    • Applies to municipalities that classify applicants under the amended framework, including both civil service and non-civil service structures.
    • In the context of Title 11A municipalities, lists of eligibles would be certified separately and sequentially by the Civil Service Commission, with certifications first from preceding classes before moving to subsequent classes.
    • Temporary appointments may utilize the same classifications.
  • Documentation and consent decree caveat:
    • The third-tier preference for Class Two SLEOs would not apply if a municipality has entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding hiring practices.

Who would be affected

  • Class Two SLEOs seeking initial employment with municipal law enforcement agencies.
  • Municipalities that classify applicants for appointment (both civil service and non-civil service) and that hire Class Two SLEOs.
  • Hiring processes and eligibility certifications handled by the Civil Service Commission for Title 11A municipalities.

Timing and practical considerations

  • Effective date: Immediate upon enactment (as stated in the introduced bill).
  • Implementation: Municipalities would adjust their appointment procedures to incorporate the new Class Two SLEO preference within the existing order of selection and certification.

Additional context

  • Related materials: The bill’s statement clarifies intent to ensure all other hiring requirements are satisfied before the Class Two SLEO preference is applied.
  • Related bills: A 9014 (prior-session) and S 3175 (companion) indicate cross-reference with similar measures in other legislative tracks.

Sponsors include: Edward Ra (primary), with cosponsors Daniel Norber, Eric Brown, Jodi Giglio, David McDonough, John K. Mikulin, and Michael Durso.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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