This bill amends N.J.S.11A:4-8 to allow appointing authorities in Civil Service, specifically for law enforcement officer titles in police departments, to hire or promote from the top five eligible candidates instead of the current rule of three. The new language specifies that the Civil Service Commission will certify the five highest-ranked candidates on an open competitive or promotional list for law enforcement positions, ensuring that if there are ties in scores, those candidates will share the same rank. Additionally, a certification with at least five interested eligibles will be considered complete, allowing for regular appointments from this group.

The bill maintains the existing rule of three for all other appointing authorities regulated by the Civil Service Commission, which means they will continue to select from the top three eligible candidates. This change aims to provide police departments with a broader pool of candidates, potentially enhancing their ability to fill vacancies with qualified individuals while still considering veterans' preferences in the hiring process. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.