Eliminates seniority in Civil Service and other jurisdictions for reductions in force in certain circumstances.

This bill changes New Jersey's civil service rules to allow public employers to bypass seniority in layoffs when a less senior employee has essential skills or qualifications. It applies to state, county, and municipal government positions across various departments, including police and fire departments. The key mechanism requires appointing authorities to certify to the Civil Service Commission that the less senior employee possesses specialized skills, licenses, or certifications that the more senior employee lacks and that these are essential for department operations. Counties and municipalities not following civil service rules must obtain approval from the Public Employment Relations Commission before implementing such layoffs. This policy change gives public employers flexibility to retain employees with critical skills during workforce reductions.