ASSEMBLY LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5207

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 2, 2021

      The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 5207.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill prohibits the State, local government agencies, and private detention facilities operating in this State from entering into, renewing, or extending immigration detention agreements.  

      Under the amended bill, an immigration detention agreement is any contract, agreement, intergovernmental service agreement, or memorandum of understanding that authorizes the State, a local government agency, or private detention facility to house or detain individuals for civil immigration violations. 

      The amended bill also defines a “local government agency” as a county, county sheriff, municipality, or other political subdivision in this State and any agency, officer, employee, or agent thereof.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

The committee amended the bill to:

      1)   add findings and declarations;

      2)   provide that nothing in the bill is to be construed to prohibit, or in any way restrict, any action where the prohibition or restriction would be contrary to federal law, the United States Constitution, or the New Jersey Constitution; and

      3)   make other clarifying and technical changes.