NJ A4134

Creates a State Commission on Minority Affairs within the Department of State, consisting of 29 members including the Secretary of State, Attorney General, Chief Diversity Officer, and commissioners from Labor and Education departments, plus 8 legislators and 16 public members.

Public members serve three-year terms with staggered initial appointments, may serve no more than two consecutive terms, and must be chosen with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, and geographic representation.

Commission responsibilities include studying minority social and economic welfare, employment availability, minority business development, affordable housing, and promoting awareness of anti-discrimination laws in cooperation with the Division on Civil Rights.

The commission must meet quarterly, may hire an executive director and staff, and must submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature by December 31 each year.

Members serve without compensation but receive reimbursement for expenses, and the commission may request data, reports, and assistance from any state, county, municipal, or school district entity.