55:13B-4. Powers of commissioner

The commissioner, to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this act, shall have the power to:

a. Promulgate and amend rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, P.L.1968, c. 410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.);

b. Establish standards governing safety, security, recordkeeping, living conditions and services in rooming and boarding houses;

c. Issue, suspend and revoke licenses for rooming and boarding houses;

d. Enter and inspect any such facility without prior notice and review such records as may be required pursuant to this act;

e. Establish standards for the building, conversion and renovation of all such facilities;

f. Enforce the provisions of this act by entering complaints against any person in violation thereof through administrative proceedings and civil actions in State and local courts for injunctive relief and for the assessment of penalties, compromise and settle any penalties in such amounts as he may determine to be equitable under the circumstances of the violation, and take such other action as he may deem necessary in accordance with the provisions of this act;

g. Issue subpenas to compel attendance at any hearing in any part of the State, and the presentation of such reports, documents, books and papers as he may deem necessary;

h. Institute an in rem action against property, or a quasi in rem action against the owner by attachment of a property followed by service by publication, in connection with violations of the provisions of this act, in cases where the owner, after diligent effort, cannot be served; and

i. Hold and exercise all the rights and remedies available to a judgment creditor where a judgment is entered against an owner or operator as a result of a penalty action or administrative action taken pursuant to enforcement of this act.

L.1979, c. 496, s. 4.