NJ A3218

Institutions of higher education in New Jersey must review the 20-year employment history of prospective employees who will have regular contact with students, specifically checking for allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct with current and former employers at schools or positions involving contact with children.

Applicants must provide written statements disclosing whether they have been investigated for, disciplined for, or separated from employment due to child abuse or sexual misconduct allegations, and must authorize former employers to release this information.

Former employers must respond to information requests within 20 days, and failure to respond may result in automatic disqualification of the applicant from employment.

Applicants who willfully provide false information or fail to disclose required information face termination or denial of employment, potential criminal liability, and civil penalties up to $500.

Institutions are prohibited from entering into any agreements that suppress or destroy information related to child abuse or sexual misconduct investigations, and any such contract provisions are void and unenforceable.