Bill Text: NJ A4363 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Provides funding to nonprofit organizations to implement smart technology and artificial intelligence systems to enhance security infrastructure.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-05-13 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee [A4363 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-A4363-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman REGINALD W. ATKINS
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Provides funding to nonprofit organizations to implement smart technology and artificial intelligence systems to enhance security infrastructure.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing the "New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program" and supplementing chapter 9 of Appendix A.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. For the purposes of this section:
"Artificial intelligence" means: (1) any artificial system that performs tasks under varying and unpredictable circumstances without significant human oversight, or that can learn from experience and improve performance when exposed to data sets; (2) an artificial system developed in computer software, physical hardware, or other context that solves tasks requiring human-like perception, cognition, planning, learning, communication, or physical action; (3) an artificial system designed to think or act like a human, including cognitive architectures and neural networks; (4) a set of techniques, including machine learning, that is designed to approximate a cognitive task; or (5) an artificial system designed to act rationally, including an intelligent software agent or embodied robot that achieves goals using perception, planning, reasoning, learning, communicating, decision making, and acting.
"Nonprofit organization" means a private nonprofit corporation that has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States Department of the Treasury to be exempt from income taxation pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3).
"Smart technology" means a range of technologies and devices, including but not limited to automation, artificial intelligence, wireless and wired communications, sensors, actuators, meters, connected and interconnected devices, data sharing, and data analytics, that are used in various applications to make communities or an infrastructure more efficient, cost-effective, or environmentally sustainable.
b. There is hereby established the "New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program" in the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, which shall provide grants to nonprofit organizations, including places of worship as annually appropriated to:
(1) implement smart technology, including but not limited to motion sensors, smart meters, and automated systems designed to operate only when necessary, to optimize electrical or power usage to lower operational costs; and
(2) integrate artificial intelligence systems, including but not limited to artificial intelligence powered surveillance, systems for detecting threats, and the utilization of artificial intelligence-powered control systems that provide real-time monitoring and response capabilities, to enhance security infrastructure.
The purpose of the New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program is to promote innovation, security enhancement, and equity within nonprofit organizations in this State while fostering collaboration, community engagement, and continuous technological advancement.
c. The Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness shall administer the New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program. There shall annually be distributed to approved eligible nonprofit organizations a maximum grant of up to $25,000 per approved application for the implementation of smart technology and a maximum grant of up to $100,000 per approved application for the integration of artificial intelligence systems. The director may adjust these amounts based upon the final availability of funds, analytical trends, and emerging need-based priorities.
d. A nonprofit organization shall apply to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to receive grants under the New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program for either the cost of implementing smart technology or integrating artificial intelligence systems, or both. The funds distributed to grant recipients under the program shall be utilized solely for implementing smart technology or integrating artificial intelligence systems, or both, within this State.
As part of the application process, applicants shall provide a comprehensive needs assessment that outlines the agency's specific security challenges and areas in which they intend to implement smart technology to improve operational efficiency. While all nonprofit organizations operating in this State are eligible for the New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program, the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness shall evaluate all applications and prioritize awarding grants to nonprofit organizations which:
(1) serve at-risk communities;
(2) serve communities of color;
(3) are interdisciplinary organizations; and
(4) are collaborative organizations consisting of multiple nonprofit agencies or community groups.
e. To ensure the success of the New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program, the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness shall:
(1) request annually as part of its annual budget proposal a minimum of $14,000,000 to fund the grants authorized pursuant to this section. The office shall also pursue and develop, with the Department of Law and Public Safety, the United States Department of Homeland Security, and any other applicable State or federal agency, any available federal, State, local, and private funding for the grants authorized pursuant to this section;
(2) leverage existing partnerships or develop partnerships with technology companies and startup organizations to access discounted or pro bono technological services, including but not limited to software development, cybersecurity expertise, and hardware donations.
(3) provide reasonable technical assistance and support to grant recipients, including but not limited to guidance on the implementation of smart technology and artificial intelligence systems and access to resources for capacity building and staff training;
(4) assess and approve all artificial intelligence systems purchased by recipients through the grant program to mitigate possible unintended consequences and to ensure that the artificial intelligence systems are implemented and designed in a way that is not unfairly discriminatory;
(5) establish an annual event to highlight the achievements and innovative practices of grant recipients in enhancing security infrastructure. This annual event shall serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and recognition of exemplary initiatives;
(6) shall set aside five percent of the total amount appropriated for the New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program to administer and evaluate the grant program.
The Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness shall administer the grant program with flexibility to adapt to evolving trends concerning security threats and technological advancements by allowing for periodic reviews and adjustments to the program's eligibility criteria, adopting best practices, and through the implementation of feedback from stakeholders.
The Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness shall establish an evaluation and monitoring process, including but not limited to audits, performance metrics, and pre and post evaluations, to access the impact and the effectiveness of the grant program overtime; and
(7) develop a comprehensive assessment of the program's impact, effectiveness, and continued relevance after five years of administering the grant program. Based on this evaluation, recommendations for the grant program's enhancements or modifications shall be proposed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the grant program.
f. Nonprofit organizations who are recipients of the New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program shall:
(1) develop community engagement initiatives, including but not limited to community events, neighborhood watch programs, and outreach campaigns regarding security awareness and preparedness, to foster trust, resilience, and collaboration within diverse communities;
(2) submit regular reports to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, detailing the facilitation of community engagement activities and the implementation of smart technology and artificial intelligence systems. These reports shall include metrics on the effectiveness of security enhancements and achieved outcomes in promoting equity and inclusivity; and
(3) allocate a portion of the grant funds to provide recipients with training and capacity building for nonprofit staff members and volunteers, including but not limited to security training, cultural competency training, and workshops on utilizing smart technology and artificial intelligence systems efficiently.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes the "New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program" within the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to provide funding to nonprofit organizations to implement smart technology and artificial intelligence systems to enhance security infrastructure.
The bill permits any nonprofit organization to apply to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to receive grants under the program, for either the cost of implementing smart technology or integrating artificial intelligence systems, or both within this State. While all nonprofits are eligible for the grant program, the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness is required to evaluate all applications and prioritize awarding grants to nonprofit organizations which: (1) serve at-risk communities; (2) serve communities of color; (3) are interdisciplinary organizations; and (4) are collaborative organizations consisting of multiple nonprofit agencies or community groups.
Under the provisions of this bill, the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness is required to: (1) request annually as part of its annual budget proposal a minimum of $14,000,000 to fund the grant program; (2) leverage existing partnerships or develop partnerships with technology companies and startup organizations to access discounted or pro bono technological services; (3) provide reasonable technical assistance and support to grant recipients; (4) assess and approve all artificial intelligence systems purchased by recipients through the grant program; (5) establish an annual event to highlight the achievements and innovative practices of grant recipients in enhancing security infrastructure; (6) set aside five percent of the total amount appropriated to administer and evaluate the grant program; and (7) develop a comprehensive assessment of the program's impact, effectiveness, and continued relevance after five years of administering the grant program.
In addition, under the provisions of this bill, nonprofit organizations who are recipients of the grant program are required to: (1) develop community engagement initiatives; (2) submit regular reports to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, detailing the facilitation of community engagement activities and the implementation of smart technology and artificial intelligence systems; and (3) allocate a portion of the grant funds to provide recipients with training and capacity building for nonprofit staff members and volunteers.
According to the sponsor, the purpose of the New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program is to promote innovation, security enhancement, and equity within nonprofit organizations in this State while fostering collaboration, community engagement, and continuous technological advancement.
