N.J. Stat. § 52:14-16.2
When any person, who holds office, position or employment under the government of this State and has tenure, or is protected, in such office, position or employment, by virtue of any law or any order, rule or regulation of the Civil Service Commission, shall be appointed to any other office, position or employment by the Governor, such person shall be entitled to leave of absence, without pay, from the said office, position or employment, in which he has tenure or is so protected, for such length of time as he shall hold the office, position or employment to which he is so appointed by the Governor and he shall continue to hold the said office, position or employment in which he has tenure or is so protected and shall retain all of the rights, privileges and benefits, including his rating and status in the civil service, incident to his continued holding of said office, position or employment, except the right to receive pay by reason of his holding thereof, despite the fact that he accepts the office, position or employment to which he has been appointed by the Governor, provided the Governor certifies his approval, in writing, of the retention by such person of such office, position or employment to the Civil Service Commission and to such person's immediate superior in such office, position or employment.
N.J.S. § 52:14-16.2