New Jersey municipalities should begin working to ensure compliance with the Affordable Care Act, if they have not done so already. While some provisions have already taken effect, the most significant changes will be phased in over the next two years. Overall, the ACA will not drastically alter how New
New Jersey municipalities are starting to reap the benefits of a new rule that privatizes the collection of municipal court fines. The rule specifically authorizes municipalities to contract with private collection agencies to collect delinquent fines owed to local courts. According to a recent article in the New Jersey Law
Municipalities across the country are increasingly using social media to keep in touch with their citizens. In fact, sites like Twitter and Facebook are credited with playing a valuable role in the wake of Hurricane Isaac by keeping residents of impacted communities informed of road closures, power restoration efforts, and
Legislation that is currently advancing in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature would give New Jersey municipalities less control over development by private non profit colleges and universities. The bills aim to put private and public institutions on equal footing when it comes to land use approvals. Under the
Legislation is currently pending in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature that would eliminate the statute of limitations on civil actions for sexual abuse. While we certainly do not question the intent of these bills, New Jersey municipalities should be aware of the potential legal consequences. The current statute
A bill introduced in the New Jersey Senate would overrule a recent court ruling regarding the liability of New Jersey municipalities when it comes to their emergency response operations. In Murray v. Plainfield Rescue Squad, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that rescue squads that provide intermediate and basic life
New Jersey municipalities have now received their letters from the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) regarding the seizure of unused affordable housing trust funding. However, they are refusing to go down without a fight. The most recent challenge, brought by the Fair Share Housing Center, argued that Gov.
A New Jersey appeals court has ruled that Gov. Chris Christie can seize unused affordable housing trust funds from New Jersey municipalities. However, municipalities must be given adequate notice as well as an opportunity to contest the transfer. Under current New Jersey affordable housing law, municipalities must spend money from
