N.J. Stat. § 52:14-11: Discrimination by reason of age prohibited; exception

No person forty years of age or over, applying for employment in the service of the state, shall be discriminated against by reason of age; nor shall the state or any agency thereof make any rules or regulations designed to bar any such person from any position or employment in the service of the state. This section shall not apply to guards employed in the service of any penal institution of the state.