{"data":{"id":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-34-6b-12","jurisdiction":"us-nj","citation":"N.J. Stat. § 34:6B-12","heading":"Findings, declarations relative to certain employment rights of persons with criminal records.","body":"2.\tThe Legislature finds and declares that:\na.\tRemoving obstacles to employment for people with criminal records provides economic and social opportunities to a large group of people living in New Jersey, increasing the productivity, health, and safety of New Jersey communities.\nb.\tCriminal background checks by employers have increased dramatically in recent years, with estimates of 90 percent of large employers in the United States now conducting background checks as part of the hiring process.\nc.\tBarriers to employment based on criminal records stand to affect an estimated 65 million adults in the United States with criminal records.\nd.\tEmployment advertisements in New Jersey frequently include language regarding criminal records that either explicitly precludes or strongly dissuades people from applying.\ne.\tIndividuals with criminal records represent a group of job seekers ready and able to contribute and add to the workforce.\nf.\tSecuring employment significantly reduces the risk of recidivism for persons with criminal records.\ng.\tCurrently, at least 64 states, counties, and cities have enacted or passed statutes, ordinances, or policies to remove barriers to the employment of persons with criminal histories by public and private employers.\nh.\tThe nation's largest public employer, the United States government, and the nation's largest private employer have each implemented their own policies removing barriers to the employment of persons with criminal histories.\ni.\tNumerous other major businesses and organizations have voluntarily implemented their own policies removing barriers to the employment of those with criminal histories.\nj.\tIt is the intent and purpose of \"The Opportunity to Compete Act\" to improve the economic viability, health, and security of New Jersey communities and to assist people with criminal records to reintegrate into the community, become productive members of the workforce, and to provide for their families and themselves.\nL.2014, c.32, s.2.","path":["TITLE 34 LABOR AND WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION"],"source_url":"https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/statutes/STATUTES-TEXT.zip","current_through":"P.L.2025, c.405, and J.R.22","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T17:54:13Z","sha256":"a31c01ddd1c8fa8eb5b043b3754c16013b7cb426513ce0fbd0b1a9b40effd2a8","source_id":"us-nj","stale":true,"prev":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-34-6b-11","next":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-34-6b-13"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}