This bill allows businesses in New Jersey to receive tax credits if they hire adults who have been released from incarceration for nonviolent crimes. The credits apply to both corporation business taxes and gross income taxes, offering a benefit equal to 15 percent of wages paid to each eligible employee, up to a maximum of $900 per person. To qualify, the offenders must not have committed violent acts or specific serious offenses, and the tax savings are limited to 50 percent of the total tax owed for the year. Any unused portion of the credit can be carried forward for up to seven years, and the law applies to wages paid after the bill is enacted.
This bill prohibits financial institutions from charging any administrative fees, such as account maintenance or transaction costs, to individuals who have been released from incarceration in New Jersey. It requires that any money remaining in an inmate's facility account be transferred to a free consumer checking account or issued on a fee-free debit card upon release. The legislation also mandates that the state work with banks to provide these banking services at no cost to the former inmates and allows for the disbursement of cash allowances in a fee-free manner.
This bill prohibits financial institutions from charging administrative fees, such as account maintenance or transaction costs, for the checking accounts and debit cards issued to individuals released from incarceration in New Jersey. It requires that any remaining funds in an inmate's prison account be transferred to their new free account or provided on a fee-free debit card upon release, ensuring these individuals can access their money without additional costs. The legislation also mandates that the Department of Corrections work with financial institutions to offer these banking services at no cost to the released person, while maintaining the option for inmates to decline a checking account if they prefer.
This bill allows qualified voters in New Jersey who are detained or incarcerated for non-indictable offenses or pending trial to request and receive mail-in ballots. It requires the Secretary of State to work with the Department of Corrections to provide ballot applications and ensure ballots are sent to the facility where the voter is held. The legislation also mandates that if a voter is transferred to a different location, the Department of Corrections must facilitate the delivery of the ballot. However, the bill explicitly maintains that individuals convicted of indictable offenses remain ineligible to vote, and any ballots cast by those who later become ineligible are voided.
This bill mandates the collection of DNA samples from individuals convicted of serious violent crimes, including sexual assaults, murders, and kidnappings, as well as from juveniles and those found not guilty by reason of insanity for similar offenses. The law requires that biological samples be taken from those sentenced to prison at the start of their confinement and from those released from custody after being arrested for these crimes. Additionally, it applies to juveniles adjudicated delinquent for serious offenses and requires DNA collection from individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity for such acts. These provisions aim to expand the state's DNA database by ensuring samples are gathered from a broader range of defendants involved in severe criminal activities.
This New Jersey bill ensures that incarcerated individuals do not have to pay for medical care, surgery, dental services, or prescription drugs provided while in state or county custody. It also requires courts to notify health insurance plans when sentencing someone to prison or detention if that person is covered by such a plan. Under the new rules, the state and counties can seek reimbursement from these insurance plans for the costs of medical treatment provided to inmates, rather than charging the inmates themselves. The legislation clarifies that these reimbursement efforts do not interfere with the existing responsibilities of correctional officials to provide care.
This New Jersey bill ensures that incarcerated individuals do not have to pay for medical care, dental services, or prescription drugs provided while in state or county facilities. The legislation removes the ability to charge inmates for these essential health services and allows the state and counties to seek reimbursement directly from the inmates' health insurance plans instead. By shifting the financial responsibility to insurance providers, the bill aims to guarantee access to necessary treatment without burdening prisoners with costs during their incarceration.
This bill establishes minimum health and safety standards and oversight for state prisons, county jails, and privately-operated secure facilities in New Jersey. It requires privately-run detention centers to obtain a compliance certificate from a new oversight board before they can operate, ensuring they meet specific rules for food, water, sanitation, and space. The legislation mandates concrete conditions such as three daily meals, unlimited clean water, daily access to showers and natural light, and at least 100 square feet of sleeping space per person. Additionally, it guarantees detainees access to legal representation, free communication devices, and regular in-person visitation, including accommodations for children and elderly visitors.
This New Jersey bill creates new criminal penalties for individuals who illegally possess or use devices designed to read information from credit and debit cards. Under the proposed law, simply owning such a scanner without a legal reason would be a disorderly persons offense punishable by fines or up to six months in jail. Using the device for unlawful purposes carries much heavier consequences, classified as a second-degree crime that could result in fines up to $150,000 or five to ten years in prison. The legislation directly targets the equipment used to steal financial data from payment cards, aiming to increase the legal risks associated with these activities.
This bill creates a new Second Chance Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to help people who have been released from prison find jobs. The program will work directly with labor unions to identify job openings and create plans for hiring formerly incarcerated individuals. By partnering with these organizations, the initiative aims to provide stable career paths and reduce the likelihood of re-offending. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.
