ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 691

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: JUNE 3, 1996

 

      The Assembly Community Services Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 691.

      As amended by committee, this bill would create the New Jersey Human Relations Council based upon the recommendations contained in the Report of the Commission on Racism, Racial Violence and Religious Violence. The council shall perform numerous planning and coordinating functions including developing proposals for the State to combat crime based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or physical, mental or cognitive disability. The council shall further offer assistance and training to county level human relations commissions and assist the Office of Bias Crimes and Community Relations in its efforts to foster better community relations throughout the State.

      The council shall consist of 10 public members, four legislative members, three county representatives and 16 ex officio members.

      The three representatives from the county human relations commissions shall report back to the various counties on the work of the State council. The county representatives shall be appointed for two year terms by the Governor. The legislative members are given two year terms coincident with the two year legislative session in which the appointment is made.

      The amendments increase the number of county representatives from two to three and make several technical corrections to the bill.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 1996-1997 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review which has been performed.