[Second Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 807

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION

 

 

By Assemblywoman FARRAGHER, Assemblymen CORODEMUS,

Arnone and Bucco

 

 

An Act concerning law enforcement officers 1[,] and1 supplementing chapter 14 of Title 40A of the New Jersey Statutes 1[and amending R.S.39:5-41]1.

 

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. (New section) The governing body of any county, by ordinance or resolution, as appropriate, may provide for the establishment of a law enforcement crisis intervention services program. The purpose of the program is to provide post traumatic debriefing and counseling services for law enforcement officers 2and sheriff's officers2 who have been involved in incidents which may produce personal or job-related depression, anxiety, stress, or other psychological or emotional tensions, traumas, pressures or disorders.

    A crisis intervention 2services2 program established pursuant to this act shall be an independent agency of county government. It shall not be organized as a division, department, bureau, or as any other type of subdivision of any county law enforcement agency or of any other law enforcement department, force or agency of any municipality within the county.

    To preserve the integrity of the services offered under the program, the facility shall not be located at or adjacent to any law enforcement facility, station or barracks in the county.

 

    2. (New section) a. 1[The services provided at] If a county establishes1 a crisis intervention 2services2 program 1[established]1 pursuant to this act 1, the services1 shall be available to 2[every] any2 law enforcement officer 2and sheriff's officer2 employed by any county law enforcement department or agency, or any municipal department, force or agency in the county 2[,]2 who is involved in an incident which may produce personal or job-related depression, anxiety, stress, or other psychological or emotional tensions, traumas, pressures or disorders.

    b. 2[Whenever] If a county establishes a crisis intervention services program pursuant to P.L. , c. (C. )(now pending before the Legislature as this bill),2 any officer 2employed by any county law enforcement department or agency, or any municipal department, force or agency in the county who2 is 2actively2 involved in a critical incident, 2[that officer]2 shall be required to participate in the 2[center's] program's2 debriefing and counseling services before returning to active law enforcement duty 2unless, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the law enforcement agency, the ability to deploy officers to preserve order and protect public safety requires a return to active duty pending scheduling of debriefing and counseling services, which shall occur as promptly as is practicable2.

    For the purpose of this subsection, critical incident shall mean an event involving the firing of a weapon or an exchange of gun fire; 2[an untimely death;] serious bodily2 injury to or the death of a juvenile; a terrorist act; a hostage situation; 2serious bodily2 injury to or the death of 2[an associate] another2 law enforcement officer 2employed in the same agency, when that serious bodily injury or death occurred2 in the performance of that officer's 2[actual] official2 duties; a 2[personal injury or wound] serious bodily injury2 received in the performance of the officer's 2[actual] official2 duties; and such other incidents or events as the county crisis intervention services advisory council 2[,]2 established pursuant to section 42of P.L. , c. ,(C. )(now pending before the Legislature as this bill)2 shall deem appropriate.

 

    3. (New section) a. The debriefing and counseling services available under 1[the] a1 program 1established pursuant to 2[this act1] P.L. , c. ,(C. )(now pending before the Legislature as this bill) 2 shall be provided by appropriately licensed or certified psychologists and social workers who are either employees of the county or under contract to provide such professional services to the county. No employee of a county or municipal law enforcement agency, department or force shall provide any debriefing or counseling services under the program; provided, however, nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit any county or municipal law enforcement agency, department or force from establishing an internal, administrative debriefing and counseling program to identify law enforcement officers 2or sheriff's officers2 who may benefit from the services available under the county crisis intervention 2services2 program and to refer those officers to those services.

    b. Former law enforcement officers and other persons who are not licensed or certified as psychologists or social workers and who are not currently employed by any county or municipal law enforcement agency may be employed by the county to provide debriefing and counseling services; provided those former law enforcement officers and other persons are:

    (1) currently enrolled in an educational program to acquire such licensing or certification; or

    (2) familiar with the emotional crises and psychological stresses, tensions and anxieties associated with law enforcement duty; or

    (3) trained to provide specialized or supplemental counseling services involving domestic violence, substance abuse, gambling, marriage and family life, and such other topics as the county crisis intervention service advisory council, established pursuant to section 4 of this act, may deem necessary; and

    (4) perform those debriefing and counseling services under the direct supervision of a licensed or certified psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker.

 

    4. (New section) The governing body of a county which establishes a county crisis intervention 2services2 program pursuant to 2[this act] P.L. , c. , (C. )(now pending before the Legislature as this bill)2 shall, by ordinance or resolution, as appropriate, organize a county crisis intervention services advisory council. The purpose of the council shall be to advise and assist in the organization and development of an effective county crisis intervention 2services2 program. The council shall consist of a representative of the county Association of Chiefs of Police; a representative of 2[the exclusive bargaining representative or representatives, as the case may be,] a collective bargaining unit representing one2 of the several law enforcement agencies 2[, departments or forces]2 in the county; the County Prosecutor or his designee; a representative of the county Health Department specializing in mental health; 2and2 a certified or licensed psychologist who is experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of emotional, psychological, or post trauma stress disorders 2[; and such other persons, who by education or experience, the governing body deems appropriate]2.

 

    2[5. (New section) In any county which establishes a law enforcement crisis intervention services program pursuant to P.L. , c. (C. )(now pending before the Legislature as this bill), there is established a "(Name of County) Law Enforcement Crisis Intervention Servicezs Program Fund" as a nonlapsing, revolving fund. The fund shall be administered by the county treasurer and shall be credited with the monies received pursuant to subsection d. of R.S.39:5-41. Monies in the fund shall be used exclusively to defray the costs incurred in providing crisis intervention services to law enforcement officers in the county.]2

 

    1[7.]2[6.1]5.2 This act shall take effect 2[immediately 1, but shall remain inoperative until the enactment of P.L. , c. (C. )(now pending before the Legislature as Assembly Bill No. 806 of 1996)1]on the first day of the fourth month following enactment2.

 

    1[7.] 6.1 This act shall take effect immediately 1, but shall remain inoperative until the enactment of P.L. , c. (C. )(now pending before the Legislature as Assembly Bill No. 806 of 1996)1.

 

 

 

Permits counties to establish crisis intervention services programs for law enforcement officers.