52:31B-5. Relocation assistance program; determinations; formulation and execution of program

(a) Whenever any State agency or any unit of local government acquires or seeks to acquire any real property for public use, or implements or intends to implement a program of law enforcement, or initiates or intends to initiate a program or project for the voluntary rehabilitation of dwelling units, the chief executive officer of any such State agency or unit of local government shall certify to the commissioner that a workable relocation assistance program for displaced persons and business concerns, offering the services prescribed by subsection (b) of this section, is available to reduce hardship to those affected. If the commissioner or the chief executive officer of any such State agency or unit of local government shall determine, in the exercise of their discretion, that the acquisition of real property for a public use or implementation of a program of law enforcement or the initiation of a program or project for the voluntary rehabilitation of dwelling units by any such State agency or unit of local government will cause substantial economic injury to persons and business concerns other than those persons or business concerns actually displaced, then any such State agency or unit of local government may provide such other persons or business concerns with relocation services pursuant to a workable relocation assistance program.

(b) Every workable relocation assistance program required by subsection (a) of this section shall include such measures, facilities, techniques or services as the commissioner may prescribe by rules and regulations issued and promulgated pursuant to this act, including, but not limited to, such measures, facilities, techniques or services as may be necessary or appropriate (1) to determine the needs of displaced persons and business concerns for relocation assistance to supply information concerning programs offering assistance to displaced persons and business concerns and to assist in minimizing hardships to displaced persons in adjusting to relocation; (2) to assist each displaced person to secure decent, safe and sanitary dwelling units at prices or rents within his means and in areas reasonably accessible to his place of employment and not generally less desirable in regard to public utilities and public and commercial facilities; (3) to assist owners of displaced business concerns in obtaining and becoming established in suitable business locations; (4) to provide any displaced person or business concern a reasonable time from the date of displacement within which to apply for a relocation assistance payment required by section 4 of this act, and to encourage the prompt transmittal of any such relocation assistance payment upon proper application therefor; (5) and to provide for fair and reasonable relocation assistance payments pursuant to section 4 of this act; (6) to secure to the greatest extent practicable, the co-ordination of relocation activities with other project activities and other planned or proposed governmental actions in the community or nearby areas which may affect the execution of the workable relocation program.

(c) Within 60 days of the effective late of this act, any State agency or unit of local government which reasonably contemplates that any person or business concern may be displaced by the acquisition of real property for public use or the implementation of a program of law enforcement or the initiation of a program or project for the voluntary rehabilitation of dwelling units, shall designate or appoint an officer or employee thereof who shall be charged with the formulation and execution of any workable relocation assistance program required by subsection (a) of this section. Any such State agency or unit of local government, acting through the officer or employee so designated or appointed, may utilize the facilities, personnel or services of any other officer or employee of said State agency or unit of local government, or may enter into appropriate contracts or agreements with any officer of the United States or any other State agency or unit of local government, or with any nonprofit organization, for the purpose of implementing any workable relocation assistance program.

L.1967, c. 79, s. 5, eff. May 31, 1967.