Action Taken on Legislation Based on LSOC Investigation Recommendations

TRENTON – The final two pieces of a bill packaged sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Senator Kristen M. Corrado, that was written to reflect the recommendations of the Legislative Select Oversight Committee (LSOC), cleared the Senate today. Governor Murphy also signed into law today five bills from the original package that were passed by the Senate last month.

The LSOC committee was formed to investigate hiring practices of the Murphy administration, and specifically to determine how Al Alvarez was hired for a top job after being accused of sexual assault by fellow campaign staffer Katie Brennan. The hearings culminated in a report that outlined failures and mishandlings by the administration and provided recommendations on how best to ensure a safe workplace.

“Even today, there are still many unanswered questions surrounding the culture of the campaign and its treatment of women,” said Senator Weinberg (D-Bergen). “However, I am grateful to our leadership in the Legislature and my colleagues in both houses and on both sides of the aisle for their survivor-centered approach and their support for this legislation package that will improve future hiring practices, regardless of the candidate or party.”

The recommendations included: strengthening employer training and hiring practices, changing how allegations of sexual misconduct are investigated, allocating additional funding to gubernatorial transitions for additional background checks and expanding disclosure requirements for state employment applicants, among others.

“This legislation ensures that all State employees have a telephone hotline to report harassment and discrimination in the workplace that can also serve as a confidential resource to obtain information and referrals for additional assistance and counseling,” said Senator Corrado. “We’re also clarifying the confidentiality rules governing harassment and discrimination complaints and resulting investigations to better protect everyone involved, while ensuring that victims aren’t silenced as a result of filing a complaint.”

• S.3980 (A.5629): (Weinberg and Corrado) The bill would clarify provisions concerning the disclosure of the existence and content of discrimination or harassment complaints. Cleared Senate with a vote of 39-0.

• S.3981 (A.5630): (Weinberg and Corrado) The bill would require the Civil Service Commission to establish a toll-free telephone hotline through which an employee of any State agency could confidentially report a suspected incident of discrimination or harassment in the workplace. Cleared Senate with a vote of 39-0.

Additionally, the Governor signed into law the following five bills from the original package that passed the Senate on December 16, 2019:

• S.3975: (Weinberg and Corrado) The law will require the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission to designate a Civil Service-based human resources professional to serve as Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Officer for gubernatorial transitions.

• S.3976: (Weinberg and Corrado) The law will amend the Gubernatorial Transition Act to authorize payment of expenses related to confidential character, financial, and criminal background investigations of applicants for positions of a lower rank than cabinet-level when deemed necessary by the Governor-elect or the Governor-elect’s designated assistant.

• S.3979: (Weinberg and Corrado) The law will require the Civil Service Commission to promulgate rules and regulations concerning recordkeeping and record retention requirements related to the recruitment, selection, hiring, and employment records of persons in the State unclassified service.

• S.3982: (Weinberg and Corrado) The law will specify certain requirements that must be included in the rules governing a State agency’s review of equal employment and discrimination complaints.

• S.3983: (Weinberg) The law will require the Civil Service Commission to ensure that all State employees responsible for managing and investigating complaints of harassment or discrimination receive additional training by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Advocacy Institute or another organization with expertise in response to and prevention of sexual violence.