New Jersey boards and commissions should be gender balanced, lawmaker says

2TRENTON, NJ – A new proposal in the State Legislature would require all state boards, commissions, and task forces to be gender balanced.

The bill, introduced by Assemblywomen Shavonda E. Sumter and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, would apply to every appointive body created by state law.

Supporters say the measure aims to ensure fair representation of women and men across New Jersey’s decision-making bodies.

Under the bill, no appointment could be made that results in one gender holding more than half of a board’s seats, plus one if the membership number is odd. If a body has an even number of members, each gender must represent no more than half of the total.

If multiple appointing authorities share responsibility for filling seats, they must coordinate to maintain compliance and avoid g