SENATE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1546

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: NOVEMBER 4, 1996

      The Senate Human Services Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1546.

      This bill amends P.L.1995, c.273 (C.30:4-14.1 et al.) by specifying that the training requirements for the Human Services police officers include a course which prepares the officers to handle patients with violent criminal backgrounds and abusive situations between employees and patients, and among patients.

      Also, the bill provides that the training requirements established by the Police Training Commission be satisfied at designated police academies.

      Lastly, the bill specifies a time frame for the successful completion of training requirements. Officers who are appointed after the effective date of the bill must successfully complete the training course within one year of their appointment. Those officers who are appointed and already in employment on the effective date have 18 months to satisfy the requirements. These time frames are the same as those provided under the current law which this bill amends, P.L.1995, c.273 (C.30:4-14.1 et seq.).

      This legislation is part of a package of bills which was recommended in the Final Report of the Senate Task Force on Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital, June 1996, and is designed to improve the services provided by the Human Services police.