N.J. Admin. Code § 7:26-17.22

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 19, October 7, 2024

Section 7:26-17.22 - Hearing before disclosure of information for which a confidentiality claim has been made

(a) A claimant may request an adjudicatory hearing to contest disclosure of any information for which a confidentiality claim has been made, at any time. The request shall be in accordance with the requirements of this section and shall be delivered to the Department at the following address:

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Office of Administrative Hearings and Dispute Resolution

ATTENTION: Adjudicatory Hearing Requests

401 E. State Street

Mail Code 401-07A

PO Box 420

Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420

(b) The Department may deny a request for an adjudicatory hearing under (a) above if

1. The claimant fails to provide all information required under this chapter;

2. The Department receives the request after disclosure of the assertedly confidential information occurs;

3. The Department has been ordered to disclose the information by a court of competent jurisdiction, or by any other person or entity with the power and authority to compel disclosure; or

4. The Department determines that disclosure is necessary to alleviate an imminent danger to the environment or to public health or safety, as provided in 7:26-17.17.

(c) All adjudicatory hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, 52:14B-1 et seq., and the Uniform Administrative Procedure Rules, N.J.A.C. 1:1.

(d) At the adjudicatory hearing, the respondent shall have the burden of showing that the proposed disclosure is not in accordance with this subchapter.

(e) Pending the completion of the adjudicatory hearing, the Department will refrain from disclosing the assertedly confidential information, unless:

1. The Department has been ordered to disclose the information by a court of competent jurisdiction, or by any other person or entity with the power and authority to compel disclosure; or

2. The Department determines that disclosure is necessary to alleviate an imminent danger to the environment or to public health or safety.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:26-17.22

Amended by 47 N.J.R. 991(a), effective 5/18/2015.

Administrative Change, 55 N.J.R. 528(a), effective 2/23/2023