BILL NUMBER: S5608C
SPONSOR: STEC
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public officers law, in relation to waiving the
residency requirement for certain county attorney positions within Essex
county
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To waive the residency requirement for assistant public defense attor-
neys in the county of Essex.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 - Waives the residency requirement for assistant public
defense attorneys in the county of Essex provided those attorneys reside
in an adjoining county. This waiver does not apply to the position of
first assistant public defender.
Section 2 - Provides effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
On March 6, 2023, the Essex County Board of Supervisors adopted a resol-
ution seeking legislation for assistance regarding residency require-
ments for certain county attorney positions. It followed at least three
years during which county officials have struggled, or been unable, to
fill vacant positions for assistant public defenders and assistant
social service attorneys due to a lack of qualified county residents.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None to State
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take place immediately

Statutes affected:
S5608: 3 public officers law
S5608A: 3 public officers law
S5608B: 3 public officers law
S5608C: 3 public officers law