SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3761

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 29, 2025

      The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3761.

Under current law, when the Department of Human Services requests an eligible list of hires from the Civil Service Commission for the purpose of hiring an American Sign Language interpreter to provide interpretation services, it may take several months to receive the eligible list, and in the meantime, positions go unfilled.  In addition, there are times when the list is received and either there are no suitable persons, or the persons on the list do not accept the position.  This bill will permit the waiving of the commission hiring requirements, enabling the department to fill vacancies.

     Under the bill, when the department requests a certified eligible list from the commission for the purpose of hiring an American Sign Language interpreter to provide interpretation services, and a list is not provided within 60 days, or an appointment does not result from the list, the department may hire an otherwise qualified candidate for the position.  The department, with the written authorization of the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services, must sign a waiver designed and authorized by the Civil Service Commission exempting the candidate from the civil service hiring process.

     Upon accepting appointment, the candidate must satisfactorily complete the working test period to be considered by the commission as qualified for the position and to have civil service status.

     The commission will not require the department to replace the candidate upon issuance of a subsequent certified eligible list.

     This bill will help reduce the number of vacancies within the Department of Human Services.