New Jersey § 2a:168a-7

§ 2a:168a-7.

a. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a certificate may be issued in accordance

with the provisions of this act 1 that suspends certain disabilities, forfeitures or bars to employment or professional

licensure or certification that apply to persons convicted of criminal offenses. b. A certificate issued pursuant to this act shall have the effect of relieving disabilities,

forfeitures or bars, except those established or required by federal law, to: (1) public employment, as defined in this section; (2) qualification for a license or certification to engage in the practice of a profession,

occupation or business, except the practice of law , or as a mortgage loan originator, or residential mortgage lender or residential

mortgage broker as a qualified individual licensee, pursuant to the “New Jersey Residential

Mortgage Lending Act,” sections 1 through 39 of P.L.2009, c. 53 ( C.17:11C-51 et seq. ) ; or (3) admission to an examination to qualify for that license or certification, except for the bar examination, a qualified written test for a mortgage loan originator, or residential mortgage lender

or broker as a qualified individual licensee, or an examination for a law enforcement, homeland security, or emergency management

position. A certificate issued pursuant to this act may be limited to one or more enumerated

disabilities, forfeitures or bars, or may relieve the subject of all disabilities,

forfeitures or bars that may be affected by the act. c. For purposes of this act: (1) “ Public employment ” shall mean employment by a State, county, or municipal agency, but shall not include

elected office, or employment in law enforcement, corrections, the judiciary, in a

position related to homeland security or emergency management, or any position that

has access to sensitive information that could threaten the public health, welfare,

or safety. (2) “ Qualified offender ” refers to a person who has one criminal conviction or who has convictions for more

than one crime charged in separate counts of one indictment or accusation. Multiple convictions charged in two indictments or two accusations, or one indictment

and one accusation filed in the same court prior to entry of judgment under any of

them, shall be deemed to be one conviction. Convictions of crimes entered more than 10 years prior to an application for a certificate

under this act shall not be considered in determining whether a person has one criminal

conviction. In the case of a person seeking relief at the time of sentencing, qualified offender means a person who will have one conviction, as set forth in this paragraph, upon

sentencing and issuance of the judgment of conviction. (3) “ Supervising authority ” shall mean the court in the case of a person who was subject to probation or who

was not required to serve a period of supervision, or the State Parole Board in the

case of a person who was under parole supervision. 1

L.2007, c. 327 (N.J.S.A. § 2A:168A-7 et seq.).