ASSEMBLY LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 379

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: OCTOBER 7, 1996

      The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 379 with committee amendments.

      Assembly Bill No. 379 amends section 12 of P.L.1979, c.207 (C.18A:7B-8) to require the Director of Educational Services of the Office of Education in the Department of Corrections to establish compulsory remedial reading programs for school age inmates who are reading below grade age level. The bill also specifies that inmates who successfully complete remedial reading programs are to be given commutation time for good behavior or work credits.

      Currently, the director is only required to establish primary, secondary and vocational programs to meet the educational needs of school age inmates. There is no statutory obligation to establish any specialized remedial programs.

      The committee amended the bill to authorize the director to establish criteria and procedures for determining an inmate's success in the remedial reading program. The criteria and procedures, which are to be based on an inmate's individual needs and capabilities, are to be routinely reviewed by the Department of Education.