N.J.S.A. 11A:2-20 Forms of disciplinary action
The Civil Service Commission shall establish by rule the general causes which constitute grounds for disciplinary action and the kinds of disciplinary… Amended 1 time since 1986.
Current through the close of the 221st Legislature (L. 2025, c. 346). What that means
Reviewed as of July 28, 2026. Official text: njleg.state.nj.us.
In plain language
The grounds for discipline are not in the statute. The Commission establishes by rule both the general causes that constitute grounds and the kinds of action an appointing authority may take against permanent career service employees and those in a working test period, which is why a disciplinary charge cites N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.3 rather than a section of Title 11A. Two limits are fixed here rather than left to rule. A fine may be imposed only as restitution, or in lieu of a suspension where suspending would be detrimental to public health, safety or welfare, unless the appointing authority offers a fine and the employee chooses it. And an appointing authority may not impose a suspension or fine greater than six months, except in the immediate-suspension situations 11A:2-13 provides for.
Written by the NJ Civil Service Navigator editorial team from the text of this section. The statute itself is below, unabridged.
The Civil Service Commission shall establish by rule the general causes which constitute grounds for disciplinary action and the kinds of disciplinary action which may be taken by appointing authorities against permanent career service employees or those serving in their working test periods. Unless offered by the appointing authority and selected by an employee as a disciplinary option, a fine may only be imposed by an appointing authority as a form of restitution or in lieu of a suspension when a suspension would be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare. When a fine is assessed, it may either be paid in a lump sum or deducted from the employee’s salary over time as provided by Civil Service Commission rule. Except as provided for in N.J.S.11A:2-13, an appointing authority may not impose a suspension or fine greater than six months.
Enacted by L. 1986, c. 112, effective September 25, 1986. Last amended by L. 2008, c. 29, effective June 30, 2008.
An old amendment date alone does not mean a provision is obsolete. This mirror reflects the source watermark above; later laws and decisions can affect how the text applies.
Legislative history
Session laws, newest first
- L. 2008, c. 29, section 16Amended
effective June 30, 2008 - L. 1986, c. 112Enacted
effective September 25, 1986
How this section has been applied
1 reported decision cites 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.
Appellate Division 1
- Swartz v. Civil Service Com.3 N.J. Super. 6, 65 A.2d 77
Commission decisions resting on 11A:2-20
118 decisions of the Civil Service Commission since January 16, 2019 rest on this section: 7 cite it directly, and 111 apply a Title 4A rule adopted under it. The newest:
- In the Matter of Lasheta Montigue, South Woods State Prison, Department of Corrections September 2, 2026 · Discipline · Penalty upheld · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.4
- In the Matter of Vincent Vidinha, Newark Fire Division September 2, 2026 · Discipline · Sent back to the Office of Administrative Law · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.3
- In the Matter of Stacey Williams, Roselle, Police Department September 2, 2026 · Petition for interim relief or a stay · Denied · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.5
- In the Matter of Ryan Cichon, Borough of Pompton Lakes September 2, 2026 · Petition for interim relief or a stay · Denied · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.4
- In the Matter of John T. Arrington, Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, Department of Corrections August 12, 2026 · Petition for interim relief or a stay · Denied · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.5
- In the Matter of J.I., City of Passaic July 22, 2026 · · Referred for further review · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.2
- In the Matter of Donald Kilpatrick, Department of Corrections July 22, 2026 · Discipline · Denied · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.3
- In the Matter of Michael Kelly, Jackson Township, Department of Law and Public Safety July 1, 2026 · Discipline · Penalty upheld · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.3
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 this one refers to
- N.J.S.A. 11A:2-13 Opportunity for appointing authority hearing, alternative procedures