ASSEMBLY LABOR COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1210

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: FEBRUARY 5, 1996

      The Assembly Labor Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1210.

      This bill creates the New Jersey Employee Assistance Advisory Committee in but not of the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. The committee shall promote the awareness, development, implementation and utilization of employee assistance plans throughout the State. The committee shall be charged with, but not limited to, the following duties:

      1. Develop an action plan to stimulate and initiate employee assistance programs throughout the State;

      2. Review, assess and coordinate the provision of employee assistance at the State and local level; and

      3. Work with the Department of Personnel to develop training programs and referral networks, and to ensure that relevant department policies are implemented.

      The bill provides that the Employee Assistance Advisory Committee shall consist of 17 members who shall be representatives of the following, selected for their knowledge and experience with employee assistance plans: five from the business community; two from organized labor; three from State, county and municipal governments; three from the acoholism and drug abuse treatment community; and four from organizations of certified employee assistance professionals. Five of these members shall be selected by the Governor, six by the President of the Senate and six by the Speaker of the Assembly.

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