URGENT

Dear Mayor:

The League has received a copy of Executive Order 21 issued by the Governor on July 9, 2002. A copy has been posted on the League web site.

The Executive order specifically provides that the home address, home telephone number and social security number of an individual shall not be disclosed by a public agency at any level of government and to anyone other than a person duly authorized by this State or the United States, except as otherwise provided by law, when essential to the performance of official duties, or when authorized by a person in interest. Moreover, no public agency shall disclose the resumes, applications for employment or other information concerning job applicants while a recruitment search is ongoing, and thereafter in the case of unsuccessful candidates.

The impact of the Executive Order is to implement immediately the exemptions to the Public Records law embodied in the regulations proposed by each Executive Department. Those proposed regulations have an extended public comment period until August 30, 2002. The effect of the Executive Order is to preserve those items which would be confidential if the regulations are adopted until final action has been taken on the regulations.

Local officials (i.e. Assessor, Construction officials and others) can anticipate that State Agencies will soon notify them about rules that effect their activities.

The League General Counsel and the League Staff Attorney are in the process of reviewing the proposed regulations so that the League can provide appropriate comments within the period prior to August 30, 2002.

The League will make every effort to keep local officials advised as the review continues. Officials are urged to regularly check both the League web site (www.njslom.com) and the Government Records Council web site (www.nj.gov/grc) for updates.