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Department of State

The Hon. Tahesha Way, Lt. Governor and Secretary of State

Statutes & Rules

Office of Faith-Based Initiatives

Executive Order #31 Governor James E. McGreevey
Establishes an Office of Faith-Based Initiatives in the Department of State

 

WHEREAS, faith-based community organizations are among New Jersey's most valuable resources; and

WHEREAS, faith-based community organizations play an indispensable role in meeting the fundamental needs of many New Jersey citizens; and

WHEREAS, the State must ensure that its efforts to assist faith-based programs are as strong, coordinated and effective as possible in light of current budgetary circumstances; and

WHEREAS, it is vital for the State to provide an effective mechanism for guaranteeing active participation by representatives of the faith-based community concerning the formulation and implementation of government programs to assist faith-based organizations; and

WHEREAS, the State will foster the growth of faith-based initiatives by integrating and coordinating its existing faith-based initiatives with the network of resources which are currently available within the Department of State; and

WHEREAS, it is also appropriate to create an advisory commission comprised of Cabinet officials, representatives of the faith-based community, as well as representatives of the business community, to provide recommendations for coordinating and maximizing the effectiveness of the State's efforts to foster faith-based programs and initiatives;

NOW THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. MCGREEVEY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

There is hereby established an Office of Faith-Based Initiatives in the Department of State.

The Office of Faith-Based Initiatives currently in the Department of Community Affairs is abolished and all of its functions, powers, duties and responsibilities, except as herein otherwise provided, are continued in the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives established under this Executive Order.

All appropriations and other moneys available and to become available to the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives abolished under this Executive Order are hereby continued in the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives established under this Executive Order, and shall be available for the objects and purposes for which appropriated, subject to any terms or conditions of such appropriations.

Employees of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives abolished under this Executive Order shall become employees of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives established under this Executive Order, and shall retain their present employment status under Title 11A and their collective negotiations status.

The transfer of personnel, appropriations, other funds, records, equipment and other property from the Department of Community Affairs to the Department of State shall be effectuated pursuant to the "State Agency Transfer Act," P.L. 1971, c.375 (C. 52:14D-1 et seq.).

The Office of Faith-Based Initiatives established under this Executive Order shall be managed by a Director, who shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Secretary of State.

Additionally, there is hereby created an Advisory Commission on Faith-Based Initiatives.

The Advisory Commission on Faith-Based Initiatives shall be comprised of twenty-three (23) members to be appointed by the Governor as follows: the Commissioner of Community Affairs, or her designee; the Commissioner of Education, or his designee; the Commissioner of Human Services, or her designee; the Commissioner of Labor, or his designee; the Secretary of State, or her designee; the Secretary and CEO of Commerce, or his designee; the Commissioner of Corrections, or his designee; the Attorney General, or his designee; and fifteen (15) public members. The Governor shall appoint the Chair of the Commission.

The Director of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives established under this Executive Order shall serve as Executive Director of the Advisory Commission on Faith-Based Initiatives.

The role of the Advisory Commission on Faith-Based Initiatives shall be to advise the Governor regarding matters affecting the public faith-based organizations including, but not limited to, making recommendations to the Governor concerning the future of existing State programs and initiatives.

The Advisory Commission on Faith-Based Initiatives shall report periodically to the Governor and provide him with information and recommendations for his consideration.

All agencies of State government are directed to cooperate fully with the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives and the Advisory Commission on Faith-Based Initiatives, both established under this Executive Order, to promote and coordinate appropriate programs and initiatives.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 12th day of August in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Two, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Twenty-Seventh.

/s/ James E. McGreevey
Governor

 

 


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