Asm. Sean Kean

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill 5379, known as "Jillian's Law," amends state statutes to require the mandatory institutional commitment of criminal defendants who are found incompetent to stand trial under specific conditions. The bill eliminates previous options for outpatient treatment or release in these cases, mandating that such individuals be placed in a facility under the custody of the Commissioner of Human Services. This requirement applies when two qualified medical experts determine the defendant is dangerous to themselves or others, or when the defendant faces charges involving a minimum parole ineligibility period of 85 percent of the sentence. Additionally, the legislation requires courts to refer defendants who are not immediately dangerous but cannot be safely released to the Department of Human Services for evaluation regarding involuntary civil commitment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A 5378, known as "Victoria's Law," requires public schools to install audio and video surveillance cameras in specific special education classrooms where a majority of students have speech or language delays that prevent effective communication. The bill mandates that these cameras cover all areas of the classroom except bathrooms and changing rooms, while prohibiting their use for teacher evaluations or continuous monitoring. Schools must provide written notice to staff and parents before activating the equipment and are required to retain footage for at least three months or until any documented incident is resolved. Additionally, the legislation restricts access to the recordings to specific individuals involved in investigations or complaints, ensuring the footage remains confidential unless used to address student safety concerns.