SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 691

 

with Senate committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: FEBRUARY 10, 1997

 

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 691 of 1996 with amendments.

      Senate Bill No. 691, as amended, authorizes probation officers to carry a firearm provided the carrying is in accordance with the authority provided in paragraph (16) of subsection e. of N.J.S.2C:39-6 and such rules as are adopted by the Supreme Court regarding the carrying of firearms by probation officers; requires them to undergo a course of training on the performance of their duties which training shall be subject to and in accordance with rules adopted by the Supreme Court; and authorizes them to arrest, detain and transport probationers and enforce the criminal laws of this State during the performance of their duties subject to and in accordance with such conditions and guidelines as set forth in rules adopted by the Supreme Court.

      The authorization to carry a firearm would be subject to the successful completion of a firearms training course and the annual qualification in the use of the firearm, in addition to any conditions set forth in rules of the Supreme Court.

      Finally, the bill makes probation officers ineligible for membership in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System of New Jersey, and appropriates $3 million from the General Fund to the Judiciary for the costs of implementing this bill.

 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to grant probation officers certain powers but only subject to and in accordance with rules adopted by the Supreme Court; to make probation officers ineligible for membership in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System of New Jersey; and to appropriate $3 million to the Judiciary for the costs of this bill.

 

FISCAL IMPACT

      This bill appropriates $3 million from the General fund to the Judiciary for the costs of implementing this bill. According to the Administrative Office of the Courts, enactment of the bill would result in additional costs for the training of probation officers and purchase of weapons and ammunition. Because the committee amended the bill during the meeting to significantly change its provisions, an estimate of the cost of the original bill provided by the Administrative Office of the Courts is no longer applicable. An estimate of the cost of the amended bill was not available as of the date of this statement.