Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey has signed an executive order creating a state certification program for LGBTQ+-owned business enterprises. The order, Executive Order 295, charges the New Jersey Department of the Treasury with establishing the certification program.
Following the waiving of the old $100 fee for certification under existing programs (such as those for minority- and woman-owned businesses), the LGBTQ+ certification will be free. The order specifies that procedures for determining eligibility shall be "substantially similar" to procedures for determining eligibility for existing certifications, and that the Treasury will be able to promulgate rules and regulations to create and manage the program. The Treasury is also authorized to form reciprocal agreements with other entities, public and private, in order to accept the LGBTQ+ business certifications issued by those entities. The order is effective immediately.
"I am honored to support the endeavors of entrepreneurs from a historically underrepresented community through the creation of this certification program," Governor Murphy said in a press release.
Read the press release from the Governer's Office at https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562022/approved/20220503c.shtml.
Read the order at https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-295.pdf.
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