The bill amends the statutory definitions related to waterfront workers in New Jersey, specifically updating Section 3 of P.L.2017, c.324 (C.53:2-8). It introduces new definitions for key roles such as "Director," "Officer," "Owner," "Partner," and "Telecommunications system controller," which clarify the responsibilities of individuals in stevedoring enterprises. Additionally, the definition of "Hiring agent" is expanded to include stevedores and other employers of longshoremen, while the term "Stevedore" is revised to cover both individuals and corporate entities involved in moving waterborne freight.

Moreover, the bill enhances the powers and duties of the division overseeing waterfront practices by amending Section 5 of P.L.2017, c.324 (C.53:2-10). It grants the division the authority to issue temporary permits, require fingerprinting for various applicants, and exchange criminal history data with federal and state agencies. These changes are necessary for compliance with federal requirements, particularly to maintain access to the FBI Criminal Justice Information Service. The bill mandates that certain waterfront workers must be fingerprinted at their own expense, ensuring that the state statute meets federal criteria for safety and security in waterfront operations. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 53:2-8, 53:2-10