TRENTON, NJ – If New Jersey Democrats are successful, the state will soon create a Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with the executive branch of government. That’s because a bill sponsored by Democrat Senator Troy Singleton would establish the department if passed and signed into law.
“The bill, S-841, would establish the new DDEI as a principal department within the Executive Branch to expand procurement by the State and its subdivisions, assist on efforts to use underrepresented businesses to provide brokerage and investment management services, and oversee the allocation of loans and grants for business formation and low interest loans and down payment assistance for homeowners,” Democrats said today in a press release.
“This proposal holds true the notion that affirmatively advancing equity and equal opportunity is a responsibility of our government,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “This legislation brings both attention and intention to this ideal by taking our aspirational words of inclusion and turning it into a state department focused on bringing those words to fruition.”
The bill would also require the New Jersey Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Small Business Registration and Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Certification Services Unit and the Division on Civil Rights to transfer responsibilities to the DDEI.
The bill was passed by a vote of (4-1).