FISCAL NOTE TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 379

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JULY 29, 1996

      Assembly Bill No. 379 of 1996 requires the Director or the Office of Education in the Department of Corrections to establish compulsory remedial reading programs for school age persons who are reading below grade age level. The bill also requires the department to grant commutation time for good behavior or work credits for the successful completion of the program.

      The Department of Corrections states that participation in educational programs is compulsory for school aged pupils in the State's juvenile institutions. Participation for school aged pupils housed in the State's youth and adult facilities is "strongly encouraged" but not required.

      The department further states that while it would not be necessary to establish new remedial reading programs, it would be necessary to enhance the current level of services in order to accommodate those individuals who are not currently active in the existing school program. Enactment of the bill would require four additional teachers for the juvenile institutions, and seven for the youth institutions, for a total salary and fringe benefits costs of $559,406. An additional $81,000 for classroom related materials would be required, for a total first-year cost of $640,406. The cost of providing additional classroom space was not estimated.

      The Office of Legislative Services concurs, but notes that the operation of the two juvenile institutions has been transferred to the Juvenile Justice Commission under the jurisdiction of the Department of Law and Public Safety.

This fiscal note has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67.