ASSEMBLY LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 804

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 7, 2020

      The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 804.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 804 requires State and county correctional facilities to offer inmates hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing. 

      Under the bill, the Commissioner of Corrections and the chief executive officer, warden, or keeper of any county correctional facility are required to offer blood testing for hepatitis B and hepatitis C to every inmate who is sentenced to a term of incarceration at a State or county correctional facility. 

      The testing at State and county correctional facilities would be offered upon commencement of an inmate’s period of confinement; however, an inmate is not to be required to submit to the testing. 

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.