This bill amends the New Jersey Conflicts of Interest statutes to modify the conditions under which State officers or employees, including special State officers or employees, can enter into contracts with State agencies for the development of scientific or technological discoveries or innovations. Specifically, it removes the requirement that a State agency must have a property right in the discovery or innovation for such contracts to be permissible.

The new legal language allows these contracts to proceed even when the State agency does not hold a property right, provided that the agency has an approved code of ethics in place that includes procedures to minimize actual conflicts of interest. This change aims to facilitate collaboration between State agencies and individuals or entities involved in scientific and technological advancements, thereby broadening the scope of potential agreements. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:13D-19.1