Mercer Times

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation aimed at ensuring the structural integrity of residential housing in New Jersey. The bill, S2760/A4384, introduces additional procedures for inspecting, evaluating, and maintaining certain residential housing structures across the state, with the goal of safeguarding the safety, stability, and resilience of condominiums and coops in New Jersey for years to come.

Governor Murphy emphasized the importance of the new legislation, stating, “Today we underscore that we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that no New Jersey community has to endure the tragedy that befell Surfside, Florida just a few years ago.”

DCA Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez highlighted the expertise of the Department of Community Affairs in upholding building codes and ensuring the safety of residents, stating, “New Jersey has one of the strongest building codes in the nation, as well as a capable team of building codes experts within the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) who work to protect the health and safety of residents and visitors to our state.”

Senator Singleton, referencing a past tragedy, emphasized the importance of strengthening construction codes and conducting structural inspections to prevent future disasters, saying, “Over two years ago, 98 lives were tragically lost in Florida due to the collapse of a multifamily housing structure, which resulted from major unresolved structural issues.”

Senator Linda Greenstein echoed the sentiment, stating, “Strengthening our state’s standards for the inspection of housing and ensuring that buildings continue to be maintained for structural integrity will not only help protect our residents, but also allow them to live without worrying about whether their home will protect them during extreme weather or otherwise experience a structural failure.”

Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez and Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly also expressed their support for the bill, emphasizing its role in enhancing the safety and security of New Jersey residents in their homes.

Ed San George, representing the Community Associations Institute – New Jersey Chapter, commended the collaborative efforts of New Jersey legislators and Governor Murphy in enacting this legislation, stating, “Today New Jersey has taken a tremendous step towards preventing the human tragedy that occurred in Surfside, Florida when a residential building collapsed killing 98 residents.”