ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1284

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 12, 1997

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 1284.

      This bill provides that in cases involving juveniles charged with certain sexual offenses, the juvenile shall have a right to a jury trial in the Family Part of the Chancery Division. An adjudication of delinquency for certain sexual offenses may carry significant consequences for the adjudicated person including submission to an approved serological test pursuant to N.J.S.A.2C:43-2.2 and community notification and registration pursuant to the provisions of chapter 7 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.

      The committee amended the bill to clarify that the trial shall remain in the Family Part and the juvenile shall be subject to the dispositions set forth in the "Code of Juvenile Justice." The intent is that this bill's provisions address those juveniles who are not waived to adult court.

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