Permits municipalities having population under 2,500 to withdraw from civil service by ordinance.

S 55 allows municipalities in New Jersey with fewer than 2,500 residents (per the latest census) to opt out of the state's civil service system (Title 11A) by passing a local ordinance. The rescission takes effect six months after the ordinance is adopted, and the municipality cannot attempt to rejoin the civil service system for at least five years. If a governing body rejects an opt-out ordinance, a new vote on the same issue cannot occur for five years. This bill directly affects small-town governments seeking greater flexibility in hiring and personnel management.