New Jersey Assembly Bill A5700

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 11/20/23
• Refer: 11/20/23

Caption

Permits temporary appointment of additional members to the Board of Review in the Division of Employment Security.

Impact

The primary impact of A5700 is the potential enhancement of the Board of Review's capacity to handle appeals efficiently. With increased membership, the Board can operate through two separate panels, thereby addressing disputes in a more timely manner. This structure aims to alleviate backlog issues that have plagued the Board, ensuring that claimants receive timely resolutions regarding benefits disputes, including refund demands for overpaid benefits.

Summary

Assembly Bill A5700 was introduced in the New Jersey Legislature to modify the structure and operational capacity of the Board of Review within the Division of Employment Security. This bill permits the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to temporarily appoint three additional members to the Board of Review, expanding its membership from three to six. The appointments can consist of existing State employees or individuals with intermittent titles, enabling a greater flexibility in addressing appeal cases concerning unemployment benefits and other related disputes.

Contention

While the bill is designed to streamline appeals processing, some may raise concerns regarding the temporary nature of the appointments and potential conflicts of interest, as it allows individuals with varying degrees of experience in state employment to sit on the Board. Additionally, the bill removes the prohibition for board members to participate in cases where they may have a personal interest, which could lead to questions about impartiality in decision making. These aspects warrant further scrutiny and discussion as the bill progresses through the legislative process.