This bill aims to consolidate the administration of the New Jersey Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Act under the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD). It transfers all powers, functions, and duties related to inspection, investigation, and related activities from the Department of Health to the DOLWD, ensuring that the necessary resources are also allocated to maintain these activities. The bill amends several sections of the existing law to reflect this transfer, including changes to the definitions of key terms and the responsibilities of the commissioner.

Additionally, the bill makes specific amendments to clarify the roles of the DOLWD and the Commissioner of Health in relation to occupational safety and health standards. It removes the Commissioner of Health's authority to adopt standards or issue orders in certain areas, instead assigning these responsibilities to the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. The bill also stipulates that the DOLWD will be the sole agency responsible for administering and enforcing occupational safety and health standards for public employers and employees, thereby streamlining the oversight process. The act is set to take effect 90 days after its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34:6A-27, 34:6A-29, 34:6A-30, 34:6A-32