New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 12 - LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 68 - THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE ACT RULES
Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 12:68-1.3 - Violations

(a) A violation of the Act shall occur when an employer requires an applicant for employment to complete any employment application during the initial employment application process that makes any inquiries regarding an applicant's criminal record.

(b) A violation of the Act shall occur when an employer makes any oral or written inquiry to anyone, including to the applicant, during the initial employment application process regarding an applicant's criminal record.

(c) Notwithstanding (a) or (b), above, if an applicant voluntarily discloses, either orally or in writing, during the initial employment application process, any information regarding the applicant's criminal record, the employer may make inquiries to anyone, including to the applicant, during the initial employment application process regarding the applicant's criminal record.

(d) Unless otherwise permitted or required by law, an employer shall not knowingly or purposefully publish, or cause to be published, any advertisement that solicits applicants for employment where that advertisement explicitly provides that the employer will not consider any applicant who has been arrested or convicted of one or more crimes or offenses.

(e) Nothing set forth in this section shall be construed to prohibit an employer, after the initial employment application process has concluded, from requiring an applicant for employment to complete an employment application that makes any inquiries regarding an applicant's criminal record or, after the initial employment application process has concluded, from making any oral or written inquiries to anyone, including to the applicant, regarding an applicant's criminal record.

(f) Nothing set forth in this section shall be construed to prohibit an employer from refusing to hire an applicant for employment based upon the applicant's criminal record, unless the criminal record or relevant portion thereof has been expunged or erased through executive pardon, provided that such refusal is consistent with other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

(g) Nothing set forth in this section shall be construed to prohibit an employer from publishing, or causing to be published, an advertisement that contains any provision setting forth any other qualifications for employment, as permitted by law, including, but not limited to, the holding of a current and valid professional or occupational license, certificate, registration, permit or other credential, or a minimum level of education, training, or professional, occupational, or field experience.

(h) Nothing set forth in this section shall be construed to prohibit an employer who does business, employs persons, or takes applications for employment in at least one state other than New Jersey, from including an inquiry regarding criminal record on an employment application, so long as immediately preceding the criminal record inquiry on the employment application it states that an applicant for a position the physical location of which will be in whole, or substantial part, in New Jersey is instructed not to answer this question.