New Jersey First Act

The “New Jersey First Act,” effective September 1, 2011, contains new residency requirement for public officers and employees.

Current, new or prospective public employees should be aware that, under the “New Jersey First Act,”
 N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L. 2011, Chapter 70), all employees of state and local government must reside in the State of New Jersey, unless exempted under the law. 

Effective September 1, 2011, if you already work for state or local government as of September 1, 2011, and you do not live in New Jersey, you are not required to move to New Jersey. 

However, if you begin your office, position or employment on September 1, 2011, or later, you must live in New Jersey. If you do not live in New Jersey, you have one year after the date you start your job to relocate your residence to New Jersey. If you do not do so, you may be removed from your office, position or employment. 

Review key points of the NJ First Act.

View current civil service regulations on residence standards.

Apply for exemption from residency requirement 

If you have questions about applying for exemption, call (609) 777-2960 or write to:

Employee Residency Review Committee
c/o Office of Legal and Regulatory Services
NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development
PO Box 110
Trenton, NJ 08625-0110

Scheduled meetings of Employee Residency Review Committee

The Employee Residency Review Committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development, 13th floor auditorium, 1 John Fitch Way, Trenton, NJ 08625.

Meeting dates follow:

Tuesday, December 13, 2011 Agenda  Results 
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 Agenda  Results 
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 Agenda  Results 
Tuesday, March 13, 2012  Agenda  Results 
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 Agenda  Results 
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 Agenda  Results 
Tuesday, June 12. 2012    
Tuesday, July 10, 2012    
Tuesday, August 14, 2012    
Tuesday, September 11, 2012    
Tuesday, October 9, 2012    
Tuesday, November 13, 2012    
Tuesday, December 11, 2012