FISCAL NOTE TO

[Second Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 806

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JULY 31, 1996

      Assembly Bill No. 806 (2R) of 1996 directs the Commissioner of Personnel to establish a 24-hour "Law Enforcement Officer Crisis Intervention Services" telephone hotline. The hotline would receive and respond to calls from law enforcement officers who have been involved in any event or incident which has produced personal or job-related depression, anxiety, stress, or other psychological or emotional tension, trauma, pressure, or disorder for the officer. The hotline operators are to seek to identify those officers who should be referred to further debriefing and counseling, and to provide such referrals.

      The hotline is to be established by the Commissioner of Personnel rather than a law enforcement agency in an effort to ensure that the names of the callers and the information exchanged will not be revealed to an officer's superiors or employer. The bill does provide, however, for the commissioner to establish guidelines to provide for the tracking of an officer who exhibits such a severe emotional or psychological disorder or condition that the operator taking the call reasonably believes it might result in harm to the officer or to others.

      In establishing the hotline, the commissioner is to consult with representatives from the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police, the New Jersey State Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the New Jersey Corrections Officers Association, and other parties who can contribute to the development and operation of an effective program.

      The bill also directs the commissioner to prepare a list of licensed or certified psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers; qualified counselors; and experienced former law enforcement officers who are willing to participate in the program and provide debriefing and counseling services.

      In its evaluation of Senate, No. 133 (1R) of 1996, a bill similar to A-806 (2R), the Department of Personnel estimated the first-year cost at $519,000. The department noted that the cost in subsequent years will increase slightly as a result of inflation. This estimated cost included $406,000 in salaries for 6 full-time and 6 part-time personnel, $59,000 in fringe benefits, $5,000 in materials and supplies, $19,000 in services other than personal, $9,000 for maintenance and fixed charges, and $21,000 in data processing charges.

      The Office of Legislative Services concurs with the department's estimate.

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