SENATE SENIOR CITIZENS, VETERANS' AFFAIRS AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, No. 624

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: NOVEMBER 17, 1997

      The Senate Senior Citizens, Veterans' Affairs and Human Services Committee favorably reports Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Bill No. 624.

      This Assembly Committee Substitute requires criminal history record background checks for all current and prospective employees of public and private community-based agencies that contract with the Department of Human Services to provide services for developmentally disabled persons. The criminal history background checks would be required for all personnel working or residing at an agency who may come into direct contact with clients.

      The substitute bars persons who have been convicted of certain disorderly persons offenses or crimes from employment with these community-based agencies. These crimes include serious drug offenses as well as homicide, assault, kidnapping or robbery.

      The Department of Human Services will assume the costs of the criminal history record background checks.