Requires State employer to ascertain child abuse or sexual misconduct in employment applications for certain positions involving children; requires background checks for current and prospective employees.

S 628 requires New Jersey state employers (like government departments) and contracted service providers (e.g., childcare organizations) to conduct background checks on applicants for jobs involving regular contact with children. Applicants must disclose any history of child abuse or sexual misconduct investigations, disciplinary actions, or license issues related to such allegations, and provide a list of past employers (from the last 20 years) for verification. Employers must contact previous employers within 20 days to confirm this information, and false disclosures can lead to termination, criminal penalties, or a $500 fine. The bill directly affects all individuals seeking or holding child-contact positions in state-employing or state-contracted roles.