N.J. Admin. Code § 7:26G-16.5

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 7:26G-16.5 - Claims of confidentiality

(a) Information for which a confidentiality claim has been asserted will be treated by the Department as entitled to confidential treatment unless the Department determines that the information is not entitled to confidential treatment as provided in this section and N.J.A.C. 7:26G-16.6.

(b) When the Department requires the submission of information which may be confidential, it shall advise the submitter of the information concerning departmental procedures which govern application for a confidentiality claim. If confidentiality is not requested upon submission to the Department, the Department will place the information in the files which are available to the public.

(c) The following procedures apply to confidentiality claims:

1. Claims of confidentiality for permit application information and any other information shall be substantiated in accordance with the criteria set forth in N.J.A.C. 7:26G-16.6 at the time the information is submitted. Any applicable fees shall be enclosed with the submittal. Failure to request confidentiality or failure to pay the confidentiality fee shall be grounds for denial of the confidentiality claim.

2. If a submitter does not provide substantiation which satisfies the criteria of N.J.A.C. 7:26G-16.6, the Department shall notify the submitter by certified mail, return receipt requested of the requirement to do so. If the Department does not receive the substantiation within 10 days after the submitter receives the notice, the confidentiality claim is waived and the Department may make the information available to the public.

3. Within the Department, Division Directors or their appropriate designees shall determine, based on the criteria listed in N.J.A.C. 7:26G-16.6, whether or not information is entitled to confidential treatment.

4. If, in accordance with the criteria listed in N.J.A.C. 7:26G-16.6, the Department determines that the information is entitled to confidential treatment, it shall maintain the information in confidence (subject to court order, any applicable court rules or other provisions of this subchapter which authorizes disclosure in specific circumstances), and the Department shall so inform the business. If any other person's request for the release of the information is then pending under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., the Department shall state the basis for the denial and that it constitutes final agency action.

5. If, in accordance with the criteria listed in N.J.A.C. 7:26G-16.6, the Department determines that the information is not entitled to confidential treatment, the Department shall so notify the business. Such notice of denial of a confidentiality claim shall be in writing and shall be furnished by certified mail, return receipt requested.

i. The notice shall state the basis for the determination, that it constitutes final agency action concerning the confidential claim, and that the Department shall make the information available to the public 10 days after the date of the business's receipt of the notice.

6. Documents, in whole or in part, may be determined by the Department to be confidential.

(d) When a request is made for access to confidential information, the request shall be denied and the Department shall notify the submitter of the information of the request by certified mail, return receipt requested.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:26G-16.5