11:9-2.1. Residents' preference in employment

1. Notwithstanding any provisions of law relating to required residence for State employees in Title 11 of the Revised Statutes, the appointing authority of any State correctional facility located in a county with a population of more than 135,000 but less than 175,000 inhabitants, according to the 1990 federal decennial census, shall appoint to positions of employment with the facility residents of the county in which the facility is located and residents of any adjoining county with a population of less than 100,000, according to the 1990 federal decennial census, and shall give first preference in appointments to positions of employment to residents of the municipality in which the facility is located and second preference in appointments to positions of employment (1) to residents of the county in which the facility is located; (2), in the case of any such State correctional facility in operation on the effective date of P.L.1995, c.197, to residents of any adjoining county of the sixth class having a population of less than 100,000, according to the 1990 federal decennial census; and (3), in the case of any such State correctional facility which becomes operational after the effective date of P.L.1995, c.197, to residents of any adjoining county of the third class having a population of less than 70,000, according to the 1990 federal decennial census, provided that:

a. The residents permanently appointed possess at least the minimum qualifications required by Civil Service specifications for the available positions, have lived in the county for at least six months and have complied with other requirements of Title 11 of the Revised Statutes; and

b. A sufficient number of qualified residents exists for permanent appointment to available positions.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, third preference in appointments to positions of employment shall be given to residents of any adjoining county with a population of less than 100,000, according to the 1990 federal decennial census, who have lived in the adjoining county for at least six months and who otherwise meet the requirements of subsections a. and b. of this section.

L.1983,c.280,s.1; amended 1995,c.197,s.1.