ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 251

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: FEBRUARY 5, 1996

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 251 (1R).

      Assembly Bill No. 251 (1R) suspends cash general public assistance benefits to a person who is convicted of, or pleads guilty to a charge of, a drug offense under the "Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 1987," P.L.1987, c.106 (C.2C:35-1 et al.), involving the use, possession, manufacture, dispensing or distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, controlled dangerous substance analog or drug paraphernalia. The period of suspension would commence with the first day of the first full month following the date on which a period of probation is imposed and end on the last day of the month in which the period of probation to which the person is sentenced ends, at which time the person would be reinstated, if otherwise eligible, for benefits.

      The bill limits the suspension of benefits to the cash assistance provided by the program of general public assistance, and applies only to persons who are on probation.

      If a person is convicted of, or enters a plea of guilty to a charge of, a drug offense a second time, the bill provides for the forfeiture of any eligibility for benefits under the program of general public assistance, unless the person demonstrates that he is receiving or seeking treatment for the substance abuse problem.

      Additionally, the bill provides for the forfeiture of any eligibility for benefits in the case of a convicted person who is determined not to have a drug addiction by the municipal welfare agency, commencing with the first day of the first full month following the date on which a period of probation is imposed and ending on the last day of the month in which the period of probation to which the person is sentenced ends.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      Information supplied by the Administrative Office of the Courts to an identical bill in a prior session indicates that there are approximately 10,000 New Jersey residents who are serving terms of probation for controlled substance related charges. However, the fiscal impact of the bill on reducing assistance benefits can not be determined because is no information available that correlates these individuals with general public assistance cash recipients.