New Jersey Senate Bill S1761

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

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.

Impact

The bill aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in the licensing process by identifying bottlenecks and common issues faced in application submissions. By compelling the Division of Consumer Affairs to focus on these metrics, the intent is to improve the speed and clarity of the licensing process, which can directly affect various professionals seeking to enter the job market. The legislation is expected to streamline workflows and potentially improve customer service for applicants navigating the initial licensure process.

Summary

Senate Bill S1761 requires the Division of Consumer Affairs within the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety to collect and analyze data related to professional and occupational licensing. Specifically, the bill mandates a report detailing the number of outstanding applications for initial licensure, the average processing times, incomplete applications, and the effectiveness of current licensing operations within the division. This report is to be submitted to the Governor and State Legislature six months post-enactment.

Contention

While many may view this initiative as a positive step towards modernizing the licensure framework, there could be contention regarding the feasibility of implementing the suggested training and system improvements, especially considering budget constraints. Furthermore, there may be concerns regarding privacy and data security when tracking and reporting such information. The feasibility study mandated for outsourcing call intake services also raises questions about the balance between efficiency and maintaining quality service within state departments.