Three weeks ago, the Attorney General enacted a dramatic change in New Jersey public records law by requiring disclosure of the identities of police officers who have been the subject of serious discipline. As expected, the police unions appealed this decision. Yesterday the Supreme Court upheld the order of the Appellate Division staying implementation of the directive, pending resolution of the appeal.

As a result, the Attorney General’s new policy–even if it’s ultimately upheld by the courts–will not go into effect for at least a year. The Appellate Division scheduled argument in the case for October, meaning its decision will probably be issued in late in 2020, and then the Supreme Court’s review will take several additional months.