This bill provides tax credits to New Jersey businesses that hire released nonviolent offenders. Specifically, businesses can claim a 15% credit (up to $900 per employee) on wages paid to these individuals for both corporation business tax and gross income tax. To qualify, the offender must have committed a nonviolent crime (excluding certain offenses involving force), served time or alternative sentencing, and been released into community supervision. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to seven years, but total credits cannot exceed 50% of a business's tax liability. The bill directly affects employers in New Jersey who hire eligible individuals, aiming to incentivize their reemployment.
This bill's title claims to address expungement reforms, but the provided text actually describes a sentencing program for individuals with substance use disorders, not expungement. It amends New Jersey's criminal code to establish "special probation" as an alternative to incarceration for certain offenders with substance use disorders, requiring a professional diagnostic assessment, proof the offense was drug/alcohol-related, and no prior serious violent offenses. Eligible individuals must enter licensed treatment (residential or nonresidential) with urine testing, and courts must prioritize this option over standard sentencing. The bill does not address expungement procedures, which contradicts its title. (Note: The provided text contains no expungement provisions; the summary reflects the actual content of the bill text.)
New Jersey's Bill A 1673 requires all law enforcement disciplinary records - including complaints, hearing transcripts, dispositions, and bodycam footage - to be treated as public government records, making them accessible to the public. It directly affects all New Jersey law enforcement officers (including police, correction officers, school safety officers, and probation officers) by mandating transparency in disciplinary actions. The bill specifies redactions for sensitive personal information (like home addresses and medical history) while requiring these records to be retained for at least 20 years, with bodycam footage kept longer if tied to ongoing criminal or civil cases. This policy change aims to increase accountability without compromising privacy for involved individuals.
This bill requires New Jersey courts to mandate professional domestic violence counseling for offenders convicted of domestic violence crimes who are subject to court-ordered restrictions on contact with victims, family members, or pets. It applies to individuals sentenced with conditions restricting their contact with protected parties, including those placed on probation or having sentences suspended. The court must order offenders to complete counseling with a licensed mental health professional and provide documentation of attendance, and the offender cannot have their protection order lifted until counseling is completed. This policy change directly affects domestic violence offenders in New Jersey court cases involving contact restrictions.
This bill (A3494, "Incarcerated Women's Protection Act") requires New Jersey correctional facilities to implement gender-responsive policies for female inmates. Key provisions include: mandating gender-specific risk assessments during classification, creating a Division of Women’s Services to address trauma, parenting needs, and reentry support, providing doula services for pregnant incarcerated women, establishing a PREA Compliance Unit, and forming a Special Victims Unit to investigate sexual misconduct. The bill directly affects all female inmates in state correctional facilities and requires correctional staff to undergo annual training on gender-responsive practices. These changes aim to improve safety, dignity, and access to services for incarcerated women through specific, measurable policy changes.
This bill limits parole boards to setting future parole reconsideration dates no more than three years after an inmate is denied release. It applies to adult inmates denied parole at their initial eligibility date. The law prevents indefinite delays by requiring boards to schedule the next hearing within three years, though they may consider offense severity and criminal history when setting the date. It clarifies that good behavior credits do not shorten this three-year period. This replaces current practice where boards could set longer delays.
AJR 75 designates the last week of April each year as "Reentry Week" to raise public awareness about challenges formerly incarcerated individuals face, including finding housing, jobs, healthcare, and reconnecting with families. The resolution encourages state agencies, organizations, and the public to support reentry efforts through activities during this designated week. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of ongoing reentry support initiatives. This is a procedural resolution with no direct policy changes or new obligations.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections (DOC) to offer reunification therapy sessions to inmates scheduled for release within six months, and to inform those with nine months until release about this option. The therapy sessions must involve the inmate participating virtually while immediate family members attend in person at approved locations like mental health provider offices or nonprofit reentry centers. If family members decline to participate, the DOC must still provide individual counseling to the inmate. The bill also mandates DOC to seek supplemental funding from private or federal sources and provide inmates with information about post-release support programs.
This bill requires New Jersey correctional facilities to provide family planning services to female inmates at least 10 days before their release. It amends the 2009 "Fair Release and Reentry Act" by adding family planning services as a mandatory provision for female inmates, alongside existing requirements like medical discharge summaries and reentry program information. The law aims to support female inmates' health and successful community reintegration by ensuring access to reproductive health services prior to release. This requirement applies to all female inmates in state correctional facilities, with services to be provided in a manner consistent with clinical guidelines.
This New Jersey bill amends juvenile justice laws to modify when courts may incarcerate minors. It creates a presumption against incarceration for first-time offenders committing minor crimes (fourth degree or less), requiring courts to consider specific aggravating factors (like prior offenses or severe harm) and mitigating factors (like youth under 14 or lack of prior record). The bill also sets maximum incarceration terms based on adult crime equivalents (e.g., 1 year for fourth-degree offenses) and mandates parole considerations with specific representation rules for juveniles. It directly affects juvenile defendants in New Jersey facing delinquency charges, particularly those with no prior record for minor offenses. The bill is pending in the Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee.
