ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1700

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 13, 1996

      The Assembly Community Services Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1700 with committee amendments.

      As amended by the committee, this bill amends various sections of P.L.1974, c.119 (C.9:6-8.21 et seq.) to require that the Family Court, when adjudicating a case of child abuse or neglect, order an individual found to have abused or neglected a child to receive professional counseling, perform up to 250 hours of community service and be subject to a penalty of up to $5,000. The proceeds from the penalties would be deposited in the State's "Children's Trust Fund."

      The bill would also require the court to place a continuing lien on the property and assets of any individual who, willfully and without just cause, fails to pay the civil penalty levied against them through an order of protection or an order of disposition.

      Child abuse is a serious problem and it is the State's duty to ensure that the lives of children at risk of abuse or neglect are properly safeguarded and the individuals responsible for abusing children are dealt with in the appropriate manner.

      The committee amendments added language that allows the court to require up to 250 hours of community service instead of requiring 250 hours of community service, and to impose a penalty of up to $5,000 instead of imposing a penalty of $5,000.