FISCAL NOTE TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 67

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: May 24, 1996

      Assembly Bill No. 67 of 1996 would establish the "Parents Education Program," a mandatory education program for all parties filing an action for divorce where the custody, visitation or support of a minor child is an issue. The program would be developed by a nine member advisory committee appointed by the Governor, and the program would be administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The bill requires all participants to pay a registration fee of $25, which would be deposited in the Parents' Education Fund, to be used for the development and operation of the education program.

      The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) states that in the 1995 court year 11,250 cases involving custody, visitation or support were filed, representing about $563,000 in annual revenue for the program. The cost of two program representatives plus one clerical person for each county would total about $3.2 million for salaries, fringe benefits and overhead for the first year, for a net first year cost of $2.6 million.

      The Office of Legislative Services concurs.

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