PIANJ previously alerted members to a deeply concerning regulatory proposal from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This proposal—N.J.A.C. 12:11—would dramatically expand the state’s interpretation of the “ABC test” for classifying independent contractors, posing a direct threat to the independent agency system.
Thanks to your association’s swift and forceful advocacy, PIANJ is pleased to announce that the New Jersey Department of Labor has agreed to hold a public hearing and extend the comment period by an additional 30 days.
This marks a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to protect the independence of New Jersey’s insurance agencies. The extended timeline gives PIANJ the opportunity to further emphasize the unique structure and regulatory responsibilities of our industry—and to clearly explain why applying the proposed regulation to insurance producers is misguided and could result in unintended, even absurd, consequences.
PIANJ remains on the front lines of this critical issue. We’re committed to ensure that this rule—if adopted—reflects the realities of the insurance marketplace and safeguards the entrepreneurial model that defines the independent agency channel.
Shirley Albright, CPIA, CISR
Shirley Albright, CPIA, CISR, joined PIA in 1983 and has worked in many facets of the association over the years. In 1995, she was an integral part of establishing the Industry Resource Center to include the development of the software system to record and track all incoming and outgoing inquiries. She quickly moved from industry resource representative to assistant director and eventually to her current position as director. Currently, Shirley oversees the daily operations of the Industry Resource Center to include the triage of thousands of incoming member inquiries. Her other accomplishments include obtaining her New York state property/casualty broker’s license, CPIA and CISR designations.
