On February 7, 2022, Governor Phil Murphy announced that masks and facial coverings will no longer be mandated for students, staff, or visitors in schools and childcare centers effective March 7, 2022. Going forward, local school districts can decide whether to implement their own universal masking policies. COVID Metrics Prompt Lifting
New Jersey has about 600 public school districts, which exceeds the total number of municipalities in the state. Changes could be coming under a school district regionalization bill Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed into law. The new law, Senate Bill No. 3488, modifies certain procedures pertaining to school district regionalization,
In Township of Montclair Committee of Petitioners v. Township of Montclair, the Appellate Division addressed the validity of a referendum petition that relied on voters’ electronic signatures. The appeals court held that the Clerk of the Township of Montclair (Clerk) acted arbitrarily and capriciously when she determined that a petition
The Appellate Division recently held that police internal affairs files were not subject to disclosure under the state’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA)… In Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC v. Township of Neptune, the Appellate Division held that police internal affairs files were not subject to disclosure under the state’s
COVID-19 continues to change the way local government business is conducted in New Jersey. On April 29, Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order allowing county and municipal clerks to accept initiative and referendum petitions electronically. Executive Order 132 also authorizes signatures for these petitions to be collected electronically. The measure aims
The Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) recently issued a Local Finance Notice regarding the need for emergency procurement in light of the Coronavirus outbreak. The guidance, LFN 2020-06, also addresses public bidding concerns and the use of storm recovery reserves. Emergency Procurement As highlighted by the DLGS, the COVID-19 public health
With pothole season underway, New Jersey municipalities should be aware of a recent Appellate Division decision. In Martinez v. City of Hoboken, the Appellate Division held that a plaintiff’s message to the city of Hoboken on the City’s electronic 311 online reporting system regarding an injury she sustained stepping in a pothole was sufficient
