N.J.S.A. 11A:2-1 Civil Service Commission established
There is established in, but not of, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development in the Executive Branch of State government the Civil Service C… Implemented by a rule in N.J.A.C. Title 4A.
In plain language
The Commission exists "in, but not of" the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, which is a term of art rather than a curiosity. The New Jersey Constitution caps the number of principal departments in the Executive Branch, so a body that needs independence gets allocated inside one for constitutional purposes while keeping its own authority. The allocation is a filing arrangement; the independence is the point. This is also the section the Commission's own existence is cited to in the authority note of every chapter of its rules.
Written by the NJ Civil Service Navigator editorial team from the text of this section. The statute itself is below, unabridged.
Current through the close of the 221st Legislature (L. 2025, c. 346). What that means
Enacted by L. 1986, c. 112, effective September 25, 1986. Last amended by L. 2008, c. 29, effective June 30, 2008.
A New Jersey statute changes only when the Legislature amends it, so a section untouched since its last amendment is settled rather than out of date.
Reviewed as of July 28, 2026. Official text: njleg.state.nj.us.
There is established in, but not of, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development in the Executive Branch of State government the Civil Service Commission. For the purpose of complying with the provisions of Article V, Section IV, paragraph 1 of the New Jersey Constitution, the Civil Service Commission is allocated within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, but, notwithstanding this allocation, the commission shall be independent of any supervision or control by the department or by any officer or employee thereof. For the purpose of this title, “commission” means the Civil Service Commission.
The rules that implement this section
A statute sets the framework and the Civil Service Commission’s rules fill in the detail. Where a question turns on procedure, the rule usually governs; where it turns on who is covered or what the Commission may do, the statute does.
- N.J.A.C. 4A:1, the whole chapter
Legislative history
Session laws, newest first
- L. 2008, c. 29, section 1Amended
effective June 30, 2008 - L. 1986, c. 112Enacted
effective September 25, 1986
How this section has been applied
3 reported decisions cite this section. Citations only: the summaries in the source are the publisher's own writing, and where we describe a case we write it from the decision itself.
New Jersey Supreme Court 3
- Thurber v. City of Burlington191 N.J. 487, 924 A.2d 533, 2007 N.J. LEXIS 701
- Melchionne v. Newark34 N.J. 16, 166 A.2d 761, 1961 N.J. LEXIS 187
- Kessel v. Civil Service Com.34 A.2d 131
Effective-date provisions
Quoted from the session laws themselves.
- Section 120 of L. 2008, c. 29 provides: “This act shall take effect immediately and any actions necessary to implement this act may be taken any time thereafter. General implementation shall be completed no later than 12 months following enactment.” Chapter 29, L. 2008, was approved on June 30, 2008.
Sections that refer to this one
- N.J.S.A. 11A:11-1 Merit System Board