SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 53

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: MARCH 14, 1996

 

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Concurrent Resolution Bill No. 53 with committee amendments.

      The Joint Legislative Task Force to Study the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center (ADTC) was created by ACR 8 of 1994 in the wake of a series of crimes perpetrated by sex offenders, including one who had been incarcerated at the center. The task force was charged with examining the effectiveness of the ADTC in treating and rehabilitating sexual offenders. After completing its study, the task force issued a series of recommendations for improving the operation of the ADTC. The task force also urged creation of a commission to monitor the implementation of its recommendations.

      This concurrent resolution would establish such a body, to be known as the "Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center Review Commission." The commission would consist of six members: two members appointed by the President of the Senate, no more than one of whom would be a member of the same political party; two members appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, no more than one of whom would 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 Assembly. The committee amended the bill to provide that the public members, by experience or training, have professional expertise in correctional management, criminology, psychology or psychiatry.

      The commission would be responsible for monitoring 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 recommending 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.

      The commission would report annually to the Governor and Legislature. The commission would expire on December 31 of the fourth year following its establishment.

      The committee also amended the bill to provide that the commission members would be reimbursed for their expenses if funds are made available for that purpose. As introduced, the bill provided that the commission members would be reimbursed regardless of whether funds were available.