13. A municipality may exercise its rights under P.L.2003, c.210 (C. 55:19-78 et al.) directly, or may designate a qualified rehabilitation entity to act as its designee for the purpose of exercising the municipality’s rights where that designation will further the rehabilitation and reuse of the property consistent with municipal plans and objectives. This designation shall be made by resolution of the municipal governing body, except that in municipalities organized under the “mayor-council plan” of the “Optional Municipal Charter Law,” P.L.1950, c.210 (C. 40:69A-1 et seq.), it shall be made by the mayor. The governing body or mayor, as the case may be, may delegate this authority to the public officer.

Regardless of whether a municipality exercises its rights directly or designates a qualified rehabilitation entity pursuant to this section, while in possession of a property pursuant to P.L.2003, c.210 (C. 55:19-78 et al.), a municipality shall maintain, safeguard, and maintain insurance on the property. Notwithstanding the municipality’s possession of the property, nothing in P.L.2003, c.210 (C. 55:19-78 et al.) shall be deemed to relieve the owner of the property of any civil or criminal liability or any duty imposed by reason of acts or omissions of the owner.

L.2003,c.210,s.13.