SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 49

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED JUNE 12, 1997

By Senators INVERSO and KOSCO

A Joint Resolution creating a commission to study and make recommendations to improve the probation system in New Jersey.

Whereas, The Legislature finds and declares that serious and violent offenses are being committed by criminals who are on probation in the State of New Jersey; and

Whereas, The probation system currently lacks the resources and officers to monitor the growing number of violent offenders on probation who present a threat to public safety for New Jersey citizens; and

Whereas, It would be appropriate in many cases to strengthen the probation system and more effectively supervise probationers in the State; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. There is hereby established a commission to be known as the "Joint Study Commission on Probation." The commission shall consist of 13 members: the Attorney General or his designee, the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts or his designee, and the Commissioner of Corrections or his designee, all appointed ex-officio; four members appointed by the Governor, who shall include one probation officer or a representative of the Probation Association of New Jersey, one representative of the business community and two crime victims or concerned citizens; three public members appointed by the President of the Senate, no more than two of whom shall be of the same political party; and three public members appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, no more than two of whom shall be of the same political party. The commission shall undertake a thorough study of the probation system and shall propose to the Governor and Legislature recommendations for improvements in the system.

    The commission shall meet as soon as practicable after the appointment of its members. Vacancies in the membership shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.

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

    3. The commission members shall serve without compensation. The commission shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of 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 or other clerical assistance and incur traveling and other miscellaneous expenses as it may deem necessary in order to perform its duties, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to it for its purposes.

    4. The commission shall have all of the powers provided by the provisions of chapter 13 of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.

    5. Within 180 days after the first meeting of the commission, the commission shall file a report with the Governor and Legislature presenting its findings and recommending any legislation it determines beneficial.

    6. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This joint resolution would establish the "Joint Study Commission on Probation" to study and make recommendations to improve the State's probation system. The resolution states that the commission is needed because of the serious and violent crimes being committed by persons on probation and the system's lack of resources to adequately monitor an increasing number of violent criminals who are placed on probation.

    The commission would have 13 members. Its membership would include: the Attorney General or a designee, the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts or a designee and the Commissioner of Corrections or a designee, appointed ex-officio; four members appointed by the Governor, including one probation officer or a representative of the Probation Association of New Jersey, one representative of the business community and two crime victims or concerned citizens; and six public members appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly.

    The commission would be required to report to the Governor and the Legislature within six months of its first meeting, present its findings and recommend any legislation it determines beneficial.

Establishes Joint Study Commission on Probation.