TITLE 40A. MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES
CHAPTER 5. LOCAL FISCAL AFFAIRS LAW
Supplemental information on oaths, including forms.
N.J.S.A.
40A:5-33: Oath taken before assuming office
In addition to any oath that may be specially prescribed, every person elected or appointed to any office in any local unit shall, before assuming such office, take and subscribe to the oaths required by chapter 1 of the Title “Oaths and Affidavits” (R.S. 41:1-1 et seq.). The oaths shall be filed with the county clerk in the case of a county, and with the municipal clerk in the case of a municipality, and shall be preserved by these officials as public records.
L.1960, c. 169, s.1, eff. Jan. 1, 1962.
N.J.S.A.
40A:9-9.1: Oath of office administered.
1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S.41:2-1, concerning persons authorized to administer oaths and affirmations, the chairperson of an authority, board or commission of a municipality may administer an oath of office to any person appointed to that authority, board or commission.
b. In addition to the oath of office required by R.S.41:1-3, and in addition to any other oath that may be specially prescribed, every new appointee to an authority, board or commission shall be sworn in by the chairperson of their respective authority, board or commission, or by another person authorized by law to administer oaths.
L.2009, c.141, s.1.
N.J.S.A.
41:1-1. Oath of allegiance; form
Every person who is or shall be required by law to give assurance of fidelity and attachment to the Government of this State shall take the following oath of allegiance:
“I, , do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the Governments established in the United States and in this State, under the authority of the people So help me God.”
Amended by L.1949, c. 21, p. 67, s. 1, eff. April 12, 1949; L.1971, c. 217, s. 6.
N.J.S.A.
41:1-3: Oath of allegiance; persons required to take; form
Every person who shall be elected, or appointed to any public office in this State or in any county, municipality or special district other than a municipality therein, or in any department, board, commission, agency or instrumentality of any thereof, and is required to take and subscribe an oath of office shall, before he enters upon the execution of his said office take and subscribe the oath of allegiance set forth in R.S. 41:1-1 and, in addition, (a) any specially prescribed official oath, or (b) if no text is specially prescribed for such oath of office, the following official oath of office:
“I, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully, impartially and justly perform all the duties of the office of according to the best of my ability. So help me God.”
Amended by L.1949, c. 22, p. 68, s. 1; L.1962, c. 202, s. 1, eff. Dec. 18, 1962; L.1971, c. 217, s. 7.
N.J.S.A.
41:1-6: Affirmations and declarations; when authorized; forms; legal effect
Every person, permitted or required to take an oath in any case, where, by law, an oath is allowed or required, and who shall allege that he is conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, shall, instead of an oath, be permitted to make solemn affirmation or declaration in one of the following forms, to wit:
“I, , do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm” : or,
“I, , do declare, in the presence of Almighty God, the witness of the truth of what I say” :
Either of which forms shall be as good and effectual in law, as an oath taken in the usual form. In the affirmation or declaration, the words “so help me God” , at the close of the usual oath, shall be omitted.
Every person empowered and required to tender and administer an oath in the usual form, is empowered and required to tender and administer the affirmation or declaration prescribed by this section, when requested so to do by any such scrupulous person.
CHAPTER 14. COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL; APPOINTMENT; SALARY.
N.J.S.A.
40A:14-146.1: Security officers
In any city of the first class, the governing body may create the title of security officers under the classified service of civil service, and may appoint and commission as many security officers as it may deem necessary to patrol the grounds, buildings and other areas and facilities of all schools, libraries, museums, hospitals, housing projects, municipal parks and municipal buildings, owned or leased by such municipality. The municipality shall organize such security officers into a separate division or unit of its police department or force, and they shall have all the powers conferred by law on police officers or constables in the enforcement of the laws of this State, and the apprehension of offenders. Security officers shall be subject to and receive training in the same manner as other members of the municipal police force.
Those individuals who are employed in cities of the first class under the title of housing guard or housing patrolman that have been appointed in accordance with Title 11 (Civil Service) on October 2, 1969 shall be eligible for appointment under the title of security officer and shall be so certified to the Civil Service Commission without the requirement of a civil service examination. Such persons shall, from said date, hold their positions or employments subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Title 11 (Civil Service) of the Revised Statutes.
L.1971, c. 197, s.1, eff. July 1, 1971.
EDITORIAL NOTE
Please be advised the entire texts of N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-7 and 2A:53A-7.1 have not been reprinted.
TITLE 2A. ADMINISTRATION OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
CHAPTER 53A: JOINT TORTFEASORS; SINGLE TORTFEASOR
N.J.S.A.
2A:53A-7: Immunity from liability for negligence.
1. a. No nonprofit corporation, society or association organized exclusively for religious, charitable or educational purposes or its trustees, directors, officers, employees, agents, servants or volunteers shall, except as is hereinafter set forth, be liable to respond in damages to any person who shall suffer damage from the negligence of any agent or servant of such corporation, society or association, where such person is a beneficiary, to whatever degree, of the works of such nonprofit corporation, society or association; provided, however, that such immunity from liability shall not extend to any person who shall suffer damage from the negligence of such corporation, society, or association or of its agents or servants where such person is one unconcerned in and unrelated to and outside of the benefactions of such corporation, society or association.
Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to grant immunity to any health care provider, in the practice of his profession, who is a compensated employee, agent or servant of any nonprofit corporation, society or association organized exclusively for religious, charitable or educational purposes.
b. No nonprofit corporation, society or association organized exclusively for hospital purposes or its trustees, directors, officers or volunteers shall, except as is hereinafter set forth, be liable to respond in damages to any person who shall suffer damage from the negligence of any agent or servant of such corporation, society or association, where such person is a beneficiary, to whatever degree, of the works of such nonprofit corporation, society or association; provided, however, that such immunity from liability shall not extend to any person who shall suffer damage from the negligence of such corporation, society, or association or of its agents or servants where such person is one unconcerned in and unrelated to and outside of the benefactions of such corporation, society or association; but nothing herein contained shall be deemed to exempt the agent, employee or servant individually from their liability for any such negligence.
c. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to grant immunity to: (1) any trustee, director, officer, employee, agent, servant or volunteer causing damage by a willful, wanton or grossly negligent act of commission or omission, including sexual assault and other crimes of a sexual nature; (2) any trustee, director, officer, employee, agent, servant or volunteer causing damage as the result of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle; or (3) an independent contractor of a nonprofit corporation, society or association organized exclusively for religious, charitable, educational or hospital purposes.
L.1959, c. 90, s.1; amended 1995, c. 183; 2019, c.120, s.5.
N.J.S.A.
2A:53A-7.1: Volunteers of certain organizations exempt from liability, damages
a. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no person serving without compensation, other than reimbursement for actual expenses, as a trustee, director, officer or voluntary member of any board, council or governing body of any nonprofit corporation, society or association as provided in P.L.1959, c.90 (C.2A:53A-7 to 2A:53A-11), or nonprofit federation council or affiliated group composed of these organizations or a voluntary association as provided by P.L.1979, c.172 (C.18A:11-3) or to a conference under the jurisdiction of such a voluntary association, shall be liable for damages resulting from the exercise of judgment or discretion in connection with the duties of his office unless the actions evidence a reckless disregard for the duties imposed by the position.
b. Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, no person who provides volunteer service or assistance for any nonprofit corporation, society or association as provided in P.L.1959, c.90 (C.2A:53A-7 to 2A:53A-11), or nonprofit federation council or affiliated group composed of these organizations or a voluntary association as provided by P.L.1979, c.172 (C.18A:11-3) or to a conference under the jurisdiction of such a voluntary association shall be liable in any action for damages as a result of his acts of commission or omission arising out of and in the course of his rendering the volunteer service or assistance.
Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to grant immunity to any person causing damage by his willful, wanton or grossly negligent act of commission or omission.
Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to grant immunity to any person causing damage as the result of his negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
L.1987, c.87, s.1; amended 1988,c.87,s.2; 1989,c.249; 1989,c.283,s.1.
N.J.S.A.
2A:53A-7.3: Exemption from liability for library trustees, members of the commission
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no person serving as a member of the board of trustees of a free public library or regional library, or as a member of a county library commission, shall be liable for damages resulting from the exercise of judgement or discretion in connection with the duties of his office unless the actions evidence a reckless disregard for the duties imposed by the position.
L.1989, c. 171, s.1.
N.J.S.A.
2A:53A-9: Character of buildings used
For the purposes of this act but not in limitation thereof, the buildings and places actually used for colleges, schools, academies, seminaries, historical societies, public libraries, religious worship, charitable or hospital purposes, the moral and mental improvement of men, women and children, nursing homes, rest homes, parish houses, auditoriums, houses of and for prayer and buildings and places, however named or designated, operated and maintained for equivalent uses, when so operated and maintained by any such nonprofit corporation, society or association, shall be deemed to be operated and maintained for a religious, charitable, educational or hospital purpose.
L.1959, c. 90, p. 222, s.3.
N.J.S.A
2A:53A-10: Remedial legislation; liberal construction
This act shall be deemed to be remedial and shall be liberally construed so as to afford immunity to the said corporations, societies and associations from liability as provided herein in furtherance of the public policy for the protection of nonprofit corporations, societies and associations organized for religious, charitable, educational or hospital purposes.
L.1959, c. 90, p. 223, s.4.
TITLE 45. PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
CHAPTER 17A. CHARITABLE FUND RAISING; “CHARITABLE REGISTRATION AND INVESTIGATION ACT”
N.J.S.A.
45:17A-26: Exemptions from registration requirements.
b. The registration requirements of this act shall not apply to any educational institution, the curriculums of which in whole or in part are registered or approved by the State Department of Education or the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, either directly or by acceptance of accreditation by an accredited body recognized by these departments; an educational institution confining its solicitation of contributions to its student body, alumni, faculty and trustees, and their families; or a library registered by the State Department of Education, provided that the annual financial report of that institution or library shall be filed with the State Department of Education where it shall be open for public inspection.
L.1994,c.16,s.9; amended 2005, c.283, s.5.
TITLE 2C. THE NEW JERSEY CODE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
CHAPTER 30. OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT
N.J.S.A.
2C:30-4: Disbursing moneys, incurring obligations in excess of appropriations
A person or member of a board or body charged with or having the control of a State office, division, department or institution or a member of a county or municipal governing body or a member of a board of education, commits a crime of the fourth degree if he purposely and knowingly:
a. Disburses, orders or votes for the disbursement of public moneys, in excess of the appropriation for that office, division, department, institution, board or body; or
b. Incurs obligations in excess of the appropriation and limit of expenditure provided by law for that office, division, department, institution, board or body.
Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prevent a board of education from keeping open the public schools.
L.1989, c. 131, s.1.
TITLE 40A. MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES
CHAPTER 9. DIRECTOR OF SAFETY; APPOINTMENT OF NON-RESIDENT; ORDINANCE
N.J.S.A.
40A:9-12.1 Vacancy deemed on resignation, incapacity, death, residence, absence, or removal; filling an unexpired term.
1. The office of any person appointed to a specified term, with or without compensation, by the governing body or chief executive of any local unit, including persons appointed to any board, committee, commission, authority or other agency of one or more local units, shall be deemed vacant:
a. Upon its being so declared by judicial determination;
b. Upon the filing by such officer of his written resignation;
c. Upon the refusal of a person designated for appointment to such office to qualify or serve;
d. Upon the determination of the appointing authority that such officer shall have become physically or mentally incapable of serving;
e. Upon the death of such officer;
f. Upon the determination of the appointing authority that, in violation of a lawful residency requirement, such officer no longer resides within the corporate limits of the local unit or other designated territorial area;
g. In the case of a member of a board, committee, commission, authority or other agency, whenever the member, without being excused by a majority of the authorized members of such body, fails to attend and participate at meetings of such body for a period of 8 consecutive weeks, or for four consecutive regular meetings, whichever shall be of longer duration, at the conclusion of such period, provided that such body shall notify the appointing authority in writing of such determination; provided, further, that such board, committee, commission, authority or other agency may refuse to excuse only with respect to those failures to attend and participate which are not due to legitimate illness; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall preclude a municipal appointing authority from adopting by ordinance a policy establishing a lower absentee threshold, provided that the ordinance shall not permit the removal of the member if the member has been absent for less than six consecutive weeks, or three consecutive meetings, whichever shall be of longer duration, without being excused, within the term of office for the position held by the individual;
h. Upon the removal of such officer for cause in accordance with law, or for any other reason prescribed by law.
Whenever any of the above shall occur the appointing authority shall forthwith fill the office for the unexpired term in the manner prescribed by law; provided, however, that in the case of a person failing to qualify or refusing to serve pursuant to subsection c., such office shall not be deemed vacant, if the incumbent officeholder is authorized by law to continue in such office until a successor is appointed and qualifies therefor.
L.1979, c.302, s.1; amended 2009, c.141, s.3.
TITLE 18A. EDUCATION
CHAPTER 51. COUNTY EDUCATIONAL AUDIOVISUAL AIDS CENTERS AUTHORIZED
N.J.S.A.
18A:51-1. County educational audiovisual aids centers authorized
The boards of education of two or more school districts in any county may by resolution adopted by a majority vote of all of the members of each such board, determine to establish a “county educational audiovisual aids center”.
N.J.S.A.
18A:51-2: County educational audiovisual aids commission
The supervision, management and control of such center shall be vested in a county educational audiovisual aids commission which shall consist of seven members who shall serve without compensation. Three members of the commission, who shall be known as members of the first class, shall be chosen from the membership of the boards of education of the participating school districts, three members of the commission, who shall be known as members of the second class, shall be chosen from the membership of the professional staffs of said boards of education whose offices, positions or employments are such as to require them to hold appropriate certificates in full force and effect in this state, and one member of the commission, who shall be known as the librarian member, shall be the county librarian if there be a county library in the county, who shall hold office ex officio, and if there be no county library in the county, then such member shall be chosen from among the librarians of the libraries in the county supported in whole or in part by public funds.
L.1967, c.271.
N.J.S.A.
18A:51-3: Appointed members of commission
The first members of the commission shall be appointed forthwith by the county superintendent of the county upon notification that it has been determined to establish such a center and they shall serve until June 30 next ensuing.
L.1967, c.271
N.J.S.A.
18A:51-4: Election of members of commission; terms; vacancies
On or before said June 30 and annually thereafter, the county superintendent shall call a meeting of all of the members of the boards of education of the participating school districts for the election of permanent members of the commission. At such first meeting one member of the first class and one member of the second class, shall be elected for terms of one year, two years and three years, each, beginning on July l next succeeding, and if there be no county library in the county, the librarian member shall be elected for a term of one year. At each subsequent meeting one member of each class shall be elected to serve for a term of three years and a librarian member to serve for one year shall be elected, also, if there be no county library in the county. In all cases the vote of the majority of the members of the boards of education of the participating school districts present and voting shall be necessary for election. Vacancies in the commission shall be filled by the remaining members of the commission according to the qualifications hereinbefore provided for original appointments and they shall serve for the unexpired terms only.
L.1967, c.271.
N.J.S.A.
18A:51-5: Organization of commission; officers; rules and bonds
Each county educational audiovisual aids commission shall organize by the election of a chairman and a vice chairman from its own membership and shall adopt rules for the establishment and maintenance of said center. The county superintendent shall serve as secretary of the commission, and the county treasurer of the county shall serve as custodian of all moneys and funds of the commission from whatever source derived, without compensation. The county treasurer as such custodian shall keep said moneys and funds in a separate and distinct account and shall disburse the same on orders signed by the chairman and secretary of the commission. Before entering upon his duties as such custodian he shall be required to give additional bond or to renew his bond as county treasurer, in such manner as to cover and secure the faithful performance of his duties as such custodian and any additional premium shall be paid by the commission.
L.1967, c.271.
N.J.S.A.
18A:51-6: Powers and duties of commission
The commission shall provide, maintain and furnish educational audiovisual aids to the public schools of the participating school districts and shall provide such facilities, and may incur such expenses as it may deem necessary for said purpose, but shall not make expenditures or commitments in any year in excess of the funds available for that year.
The commission may contract with nonprofit, private schools within the county to provide, maintain and furnish educational audiovisual aids to such private schools. Before contracting with any nonprofit, private school, the commission shall submit the terms of the contract to the member boards for review, which terms shall include a description of the educational audiovisual aid to be furnished, the amount of payment and the time for payment.
L.1967, c.271; amended, L.1969, c. 274, s.1, eff. Jan. 12, 1970.
N.J.S.A.
18A:51-7: Assessments for maintenance of audiovisual aids center
The commission shall assess against the participating school districts a sum which, together with any anticipated State aid and private donations, shall be required for the establishment and maintenance of the county educational audiovisual aids center during the first year and for the maintenance and operation of the same, during each year thereafter, which total annual assessment shall be apportioned among the participating school districts in the proportion which the resident enrollment of the pupils for the prebudget year of each such district shall bear to the total resident enrollment of the pupils for the prebudget year of all of the participating school districts as determined by the commissioner.
L.1967, c.271; amended 1968, c.294; 1990, c.52, s.70; 1996, c.138, s.79.
N.J.S.A.
18A:51-8: Budget procedure
On or before September 30 of each year the commission shall prepare a tentative budget of the sums required by said commission in carrying on its activities for the ensuing year so itemized as to make it readily understandable, together with a statement of the amount to be assessed against each participating school district for such year, and shall deliver the same to the board of education of each of the participating school districts before the date of the October meeting of such board. The board of education of each participating school district shall consider such tentative budget at its October meeting and shall return the same forthwith to the commission with its endorsement or suggestions for change, if any, and after all such boards of education shall have so returned the same, the commission shall adopt its budget for the ensuing year and notify the board of education of each participating school district, on or before the November meeting thereof if practicable and otherwise as soon thereafter as possible, of the total amount of the budget and the amount to be assessed against such school district for said year and each such board of education shall include the amount so assessed against it in the item “current expenses of schools” in the budget adopted or submitted for adoption by it for the ensuing year and the same shall be paid to the custodian of moneys of the commission as required and requisitioned by him. If during the first year of the establishment of any such commission it shall be impossible to carry out the budgetary provisions hereinbefore provided, the commission shall certify to the boards of education of the participating school districts the amounts of said assessments as soon as practicable after the establishment of the commission and said boards of education shall pay said assessments from available current expense funds.
L.1967, c.271.
N.J.S.A.
18A:51-9: Statement to be forwarded to commissioner; state aid to audiovisual aid centers
Each county educational audiovisual aids commission shall forward to the commissioner, on or before September 1 of each year, a statement of its organization and its proposed program of operation for the next ensuing school year, together with an estimate of the amount of State aid, calculated as hereinafter provided, to which it will be entitled for that school year and it shall certify, on or before the next June 30, the amount raised by assessments and private donations for the purposes of such audiovisual center for the said school year and if the amount so raised by assessments or private donations or both for any one school year, for the establishment and maintenance or for the maintenance of such aids center shall be not less than the sum of $500.00, and if the commissioner shall approve such organization and program he shall thereupon certify to the Director of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury that there shall be paid to the custodian of moneys of the commission an amount equal to the amount so raised by assessments and private donations out of any funds appropriated by law for said purposes, which amount shall be paid on the warrant of said director drawn on the State Treasurer in favor of the custodian of moneys of the commission except that the amount so to be paid by the State to any such commission shall not exceed the sum of $5,000.00 in any 1 year nor shall it exceed the sum expended by the commission for educational audiovisual aids purchased by it in any year after the first 5 annual payments have been made. If the sum appropriated by the State for State aid to county educational audiovisual centers in any 1 year shall be less than the total amounts so certified by the commissioner, each commission shall be entitled to be paid its proportionate share of the total amount so appropriated.
L.1967, c.271; amended by L. 1969, c. 224, s.1, eff. Dec. 5, 1969.
N.J.S.A.
18A:51-10: Unexpended funds; disposition
Any unexpended balance of the moneys or funds in the hands of the custodian of moneys of any such commission at the end of any school year shall be available for expenditure by the commission in the succeeding year or years but it shall not be included in any report of the amount raised as the basis for the calculation of state aid for any succeeding year.
L.1967, c.271.
N.J.S.A.
18A:51-11: Single county educational audiovisual aids center in county
Not more than one county educational audiovisual aids center shall be established in any one county and if any board of education of any school district within the county shall, subsequent to the establishment of a county educational audiovisual aids center within the county, determine, by resolution adopted by a recorded roll call majority vote of its full membership to apply for membership therein and shall give notice thereof to the secretary of the commission, such board of education shall be admitted to membership therein beginning on the first day of the month next following and thereafter shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter in the same manner as though it had been one of the original participating school districts therein.
L.1967, c.271
N.J.S.A.
18A:51-12: Withdrawal of districts from, and dissolution of, audiovisual aids center
Any board of education of any participating school district may withdraw as a participating district pursuant to resolution duly adopted by said board and notice of intention to withdraw given to the secretary of the commission on or before August 1 in any year and in event that all participating boards of education, or all of said participating boards of education except one, shall determine to withdraw from any such county educational audiovisual center, the same shall be dissolved and the property of such center shall be disposed of at a public or private sale and one half of the amount realized therefrom, together with one half of any unexpended balances remaining in the treasury of such center, shall be paid to the state treasurer to be devoted to the maintenance and support of the public schools and the remainder thereof shall be apportioned among the board of education participating in said center at the time of its dissolution on the basis of the total average daily enrollment of the pupils of said district ascertained as hereinbefore provided.
L.1967, c.271.
Last Updated: October 2023.