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Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Department of Labor & Workforce Development

New Jersey First Act

NJ Statehouse.

Effective September 1, 2011, the “New Jersey First Act” contains new residency requirements for most public officers and employees.

Current, new, or prospective public employees should be aware that the New Jersey First Act, N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L. 2011, Chapter 70), requires employees of all public employers (for example, state, county, and municipal governments), public agencies, authorities, boards, bodies, commissions, public institutions of higher education, certain quasi-public entities, and all school boards to reside in the State of New Jersey unless otherwise exempted under the law.

If you were already working for a covered employer prior to the effective date and you did not live in New Jersey as of the effective date, you are not required to move to New Jersey.  However, if you have a break in service or you relocate from another state to New Jersey after the effective date, you might be required to live in New Jersey.  If you begin your office, position, or employment on September 1, 2011, or later, you must live in New Jersey unless otherwise exempted.  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.

Reference materials

Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Statewide

Digital NJ Logo (the letters N and J with the sillouette of the state of New Jersey knocked out)