NJ S2532

New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education must appoint a special auditor (a certified public accountant) to investigate complaints of public fund abuse at public colleges and universities, which received $1.2 billion in state aid this fiscal year.

Any person may file a complaint alleging abuse of public funds by any student, employee, department, athletics team, or other entity associated with a public institution of higher education.

The special auditor must determine probable cause, conduct investigations, and issue written findings within 90 days of receiving a complaint; frivolous complaints lacking probable cause may result in fines up to $500 for the complainant.

Entities found to have abused public funds must repay the full misused amount to the state, and the institution must pay a fine equal to 125% of the investigation's cost.

Public institutions are prohibited from retaliating against employees or students who file complaints or provide testimony during investigations.