Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
Assemblyman RAJ MUKHERJI
District 33 (Hudson)
Assemblywoman ANNETTE CHAPARRO
District 33 (Hudson)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Benson, Dancer, Verrelli and Chiaravalloti
SYNOPSIS
Requires compensatory time off for correctional police officers and parole officers for work during state of emergency.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning correctional police officers and parole officers and supplementing Title 30 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. A correctional police officer or a parole officer shall be provided with compensatory time off, in addition to any regular compensation, at the rate of one hour for every hour worked during a declared state of emergency, pursuant to P.L.1942, c.251 (C.App.A:9-33 et seq.), for a maximum of 400 hours of compensatory time off annually for any individual officer.
b. For purposes of this section:
“Correctional police officer” means a person assigned by the New Jersey Department of Corrections as an adult correctional police officer or a person assigned by the Juvenile Justice Commission as a juvenile correctional police officer or a juvenile detention officer.
“Parole officer” means a person assigned by the Chairman of the State Parole Board or the chairman's designee and, with respect to a juvenile inmate, a person assigned by the Juvenile Justice Commission.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires compensatory time off for correctional police officers and parole officers required to work during a declared state of emergency.
Under the bill, correctional police officers and parole officers are to be provided with compensatory time off, in addition to any regular compensation, at the rate of one hour for every hour worked during a declared state of emergency. Each officer is entitled to a maximum of 400 hours of compensatory time off annually.
The bill defines “correctional police officer” to mean a person assigned by the New Jersey Department of Corrections as an adult correctional police officer or a person assigned by the Juvenile Justice Commission as a juvenile correctional police officer or a juvenile detention officer. In addition, the bill defines “parole officer” to mean a person assigned as a parole officer by the Chairman of the State Parole Board or the chairman's designee and, with respect to a juvenile inmate, a person assigned by the Juvenile Justice Commission.
It is the sponsor’s belief that correctional police officers and parole officers are an integral part of the criminal justice system, ensuring the safety and welfare of inmates and the public. The sponsor notes that during the COVID-19 pandemic, correctional police officers and parole officers continued to provide this essential service to the State, despite personal risks stemming from in-person interaction with inmates, parolees, and the general public. Accordingly, the sponsor believes it is appropriate to provide the additional benefit of compensatory time off for correctional police officers and parole officers who are required to work during a declared state of emergency.