ASSEMBLY LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1254

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JULY 20, 2020

      The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1254.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No, 1254 establishes geriatric parole for certain inmates 65 years of age or older who have served a minimum of one third of their sentence.  The appropriate board panel reviewing a request for geriatric parole is to consider the inmate’s risk to public safety.  Inmates who are serving a sentence for a sex offense, as defined in Megan’s Law, or for committing or attempting to commit the following offenses are not eligible for geriatric parole: murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, robbery, second degree arson, or terrorism.  Additionally, inmates are not eligible for geriatric parole if serving a sentence for theft by deception, racketeering, or misapplication of entrusted property by fiduciary in which the inmate caused the victim to suffer a loss of personal monetary savings as a result of fraud, misrepresentation, or violation of a fiduciary duty.

      This bill requires the board panel to notify the appropriate sentencing court, county prosecutor or Attorney General, and any victim or member of the family of a victim who is entitled to notice regarding parole.  The sentencing court, county prosecutor or Attorney General, and any victim or member of the family of a victim would be afforded the opportunity to submit comments to the board panel. 

      Under the bill, the denial of a request for geriatric parole does not preclude inmate from being considered for parole under current law.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2018-2019 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.