[First Reprint]

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 53

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED MARCH 7, 1996

 

 

By Senators BASSANO, MATHEUSSEN and Girgenti

 

 

A Concurrent Resolution creating a Legislative commission to monitor the operation and reform of the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center.

 

Whereas, The Legislature finds that significant shortcomings exist in this State's programs for the incarceration, treatment and safe management of repetitive and compulsive sexual offenders; and

Whereas, These shortcomings have contributed to the premature release of dangerous sexual offenders, who have received little or no effective treatment, into an unsuspecting public, where they have committed additional heinous crimes, all too frequently against children; and

Whereas, , After identifying and analyzing the problems in the State's sexual offender programs, the Joint Legislative Task Force to Study the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, has recommended measures to improve the operation of the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, as well as the creation of an ongoing commission to monitor the implementation of its recommendations; now, therefore,

 

    Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

 

    1. There is hereby established a commission to be known as the "Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center Review Commission." The commission shall consist of six members to be appointed as follows: two members appointed by the President of the Senate, no more than one of whom shall be a member of the same political party; two members by the Speaker of the General Assembly, no more than one of whom shall be a member of the same political party; one public member appointed by the President of the Senate, and one public member appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly1. The public members shall, by experience or training, have professional expertise in correctional management, criminology, psychology or psychiatry1. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but 1[shall] may1 be reimbursed for necessary expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties 1to the extent that funds are made available for that purpose1. Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.

 

    2. a. The commission shall organize as soon as practicable following the appointment of its members and shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among the members. The chairperson shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the commission.

    b. The commission shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes. The commission shall further be entitled to employ counsel and stenographic and clerical assistance and incur traveling and other miscellaneous expenses as it may deem necessary to perform its duties, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available for its purposes.

 

    3. The commission shall monitor the progress of the Department of Corrections in carrying out the changes recommended by the Joint Legislative Task Force to Study the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center and shall recommend such other changes as in its considered judgment may be required to effectuate the goals of the task force or to further improve State programs for the incarceration, treatment and safe management of sexual offenders.

 

    4. The commission shall annually report to the Legislature and the Governor concerning the progress of efforts to reform sexual offender programs and shall include in the report its recommendations for continued improvements, along with any recommended legislation.

 

    5. The commission shall expire on the 31st day of December in the fourth year following its organization.

 

 

                             

 

Creates commission to monitor ADTC.