Pursuant to recent changes in the New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law, N.J.S.A. 52:13D-21(e)(3), the N.J. State Ethics Commission, in May 2006, began conducting ethics compliance reviews (audits) of all Executive branch agencies. The primary purpose of the Commission's compliance reviews is to ensure that state agencies are meeting the reporting, training and other legal requirements of the State's ethics laws. The compliance review process is also designed to determine whether State agencies have in place procedures and practices that will prevent and detect ethics violations.

Prior to conducting an on-site agency compliance review, the Ethics Commission's Compliance Officer will provide the agency's Ethics Liaison Officer with a Checklist which will be used for the review. The Compliance Review Document Checklist itself can serve as a valuable tool for future agency ethics program activities.

It should be kept in mind that the Ethics Commission also views the compliance review process as an opportunity for agency Ethics Liaison Officers to obtain support and assistance on any ethics issues/problems they are experiencing. The Commission's Compliance Officer is available, during and after the review, to discuss with the Ethics Liaison Officer ways to improve his/her agency's ethics program.

The following is a list of agencies that have, to date, had an Ethics Commission compliance review:

Board of Public Utilities
Department of Agriculture
Department of Banking and Insurance
Department of Children and Families
Department of Community Affairs
Department of Corrections
Department of Education
Department of Environmental Protection
Department of Health
Department of Human Services-Central Office
Department of Labor
Department of Law and Public Safety
Department of Personnel
Department of State
Department of Transportation
Department of Treasury
Department of Veterans and Military Affairs
N.J. Transit Corporation
Office of Administrative Law
Office of the Public Defender
State Parole Board
Victims of Crime Compensation Board

Questions regarding the Commission's Compliance Review Process can be directed to Jeffrey Stoolman, Esq., Compliance Officer, at 609-826-5542.