LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE
ASSEMBLY, No. 5784
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
DATED: JUNE 29, 2021
SUMMARY
|
Synopsis: |
Creates sexual assault prevention and response program and coordinator in DMVA. |
|
Type of Impact: |
Annual State General Fund expenditure increase. |
|
Agencies Affected: |
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; Department of Law and Public Safety |
|
Office of Legislative Services Estimate |
||||
|
Fiscal Impact |
FY 2022 |
FY 2023 |
FY 2024 |
|
|
State Cost Increase |
Indeterminate |
|
||
|
|
|
|||
· The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates that the enactment of this bill would result in an indeterminate increase in annual State expenditures. The bill may result in increased State costs to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to provide for the establishment of a sexual assault prevention and response program and the hiring of a full-time sexual assault prevention coordinator. The costs would include materials, supplies, office space, and staff costs associated with salary and fringe benefits.
· The increased State costs generally assume the hiring of new employees; however, it is possible that the department would appoint an existing employee. If the department appoints an existing employee for the position, the potential annual State costs could be reduced because of the reallocation of existing resources and changing the role of current employees.
BILL DESCRIPTION
This bill requires the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to establish a sexual assault prevention and response program, and appoint an individual to serve as the sexual assault prevention coordinator. The coordinator will provide victim advocacy services, including ensuring that victims of sexual assault receive appropriate responsive care, understand available reporting options, and are notified of eligibility for compensation from the Victims of Crime Compensation Office. The coordinator may also file an application with the consent of the victim for a protective order on behalf of the victim. The protective order may be filed at the State level and with the military authorities.
The coordinator, as appropriate, will refer the case or allegation of sexual assault to the Office of the Attorney General for investigation. The Attorney General will designate an employee of the Department of Law and Public Safety to investigate the case or allegation.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
None received
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The OLS estimates that the enactment of this bill would result in an indeterminate increase in annual State expenditures. The bill may result in increased State costs to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to provide for the establishment of a sexual assault prevention and response program and the hiring of a full-time sexual assault prevention coordinator. The costs would include materials, supplies, office space, and staff costs associated with salary and fringe benefits.
The increased State costs generally assume the hiring of new employees; however, it is possible that the department would appoint an existing employee. If the department appoints an existing employee for the position, the potential annual State costs could be reduced because of the reallocation of existing resources and changing the role of current employees.
|
Section: |
|
|
Analyst: |
Principal Counsel |
|
Approved: |
Thomas Koening Legislative Budget and Finance Officer |
This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.
This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).