LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE TO


[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 51


STATE OF NEW JERSEY


DATED: April 1, 1996



      Senate Bill No. 51 of 1996 would permit local housing authorities to require criminal history record background checks for prospective employees who would be employed for at least seven hours per week.

      The background checks would be conducted by the Division of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Identification Division. Classes of offenses that would result in disqualification for employment include: homicide, assault, kidnapping, sexual offenses, robbery, and offenses against the family (which includes endangering the welfare of children).

      The Division of State Police would act as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of information obtained as a result of a background check. Applicants with criminal records would have the opportunity to demonstrate their rehabilitation and avoid disqualification. If disqualified, an applicant could file an appeal with the Department of Personnel pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Personnel.

      The bill includes a $95,000 appropriation from the General Fund to the Division of State Police to cover the cost of the background checks.

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) has been informally advised by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) that there are currently approximately 108 county and municipal housing authorities in the State. The OLS has received information from the Department of Law and Public Safety (DLPS) that each criminal background check would cost $36 ($12 for the State check and $24 for the Federal check). The OLS has no information as to how many background checks may be required in the future, since the bill would only affect prospective employees making application for employment after the effective date of the bill, and since the bill does not require local housing authorities to request background checks. However, the OLS estimates that the $95,000 appropriation made to the Division of State Police through the provisions of the bill would permit 2,638 background checks to be performed. The OLS also notes that the Division of State Police would likely seek additional funds from the State to pay for the performance of these background checks once the $95,000 in appropriated funds has been depleted.

 

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