Bill Text: NJ S2546 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Revises the "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Pilot Program." *

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-12-17 - Substituted by A3906 (2R) [S2546 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2018-S2546-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 2546

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

218th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED MAY 14, 2018

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  JOSEPH P. CRYAN

District 20 (Union)

Senator  CHRISTOPHER "KIP" BATEMAN

District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Greenstein

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Revises the "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Pilot Program."

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee on October 18, 2018, with amendments.

  

An Act modifying the "New Jersey ¹[Non-profit] Nonprofit¹ Security Grant Pilot Program" ¹and¹  amending P.L.2017, c.246.

 

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

 

     1.    Section 1 of P.L.2017, c.246 is amended to read as follows:

     1.    The Legislature finds and declares:

     a.     In these volatile times, the need to remain vigilant concerning domestic security and State and local preparedness has remained of imminent importance;

     b.    Certain nonprofit organizations are at high risk for threats, attacks, and other violent acts, and would benefit from engaging in target hardening activities to reduce vulnerability;

     c.     Federal grant money distributed through the United States Department of Homeland Security's Nonprofit Security Grant Program provides these organizations with a competitive process to secure funds for certain target hardening activities, but (1) such federal funds to New Jersey institutions are limited based on national competition; and (2) the federal program does not allow recipients to use the funds for the expansion of existing security personnel or the hiring of temporary security personnel;

     d.    With the threat potential increasing during specific times of year or when high profile events are occurring, certain nonprofit organizations would benefit from additional funding to ensure security personnel is adequate to meet the increased need;

     e.     Because threats, attacks, and other violent acts are not limited to public sector entities, it is appropriate for the State to assist certain targeted nonprofit organizations in the private sector to ensure their readiness and the safety of their surrounding communities; and

     f.     Accordingly, it is within the public interest to establish a three-year "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Pilot Program" in the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness which shall provide grants to eligible nonprofit organizations to hire permanent or temporary security personnel and acquisition of target hardening equipment for the purpose of preparedness and reduction of vulnerability.

(cf: P.L.2017, c.246, s.1)

 

     2.    Section 2 of P.L.2017, c.246 is amended to read as follows:

     2.    As used in this act:

     "Director" means the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.

     "Eligible nonprofit organization" means a nonprofit organization located in New Jersey which [: (1) has received federal grant funds from the United States Department of Homeland Security's Nonprofit Security Grant Program in any fiscal year; (2) is eligible to receive federal grant funds from the program; or (3) would otherwise be eligible to receive federal grant funds from the program, except that the nonprofit organization is located within a county not served by the program] is exempt from federal taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. s. 501 (c)(3)).

(cf: P.L.2017, c.246, s.2)

 

     3.    Section 3 of P.L.2017, c.246 is amended to read as follows:

     3.    a.  There is hereby established a three-year "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Pilot Program" in the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, which shall provide grants to eligible nonprofit organizations (1) to hire permanent or temporary security personnel limited to federal, State, county, or municipal law enforcement officers, special law enforcement officers appointed pursuant to P.L.1985, c.439 (C.40A:14-146.8 et seq.), or security officers registered pursuant to P.L.2004, c.134 (C.45:19A-1 et seq.) , and (2) for acquisition of target hardening equipment for the purpose of preparedness against threats, attacks, and other violent acts.

     b.    The director shall administer the pilot program for three years following the effective date of P.L.2017, c.246.  There shall annually be distributed to approved eligible nonprofit organizations [up to] a maximum grant of up to $10,000 per approved application for personnel and a maximum grant of up to $50,000 for target hardening equipment.

     c.     An eligible nonprofit organization shall apply to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to receive a grant under the pilot program, for either costs of security personnel or ¹[for]¹ acquisition of target hardening equipment, or ¹[for]¹ both; however, an applicant ¹only¹ may be ¹[only]¹ awarded funds for either personnel or for equipment in a fiscal year.  The Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness first shall evaluate all applications ¹[on] as to¹ whether they are at high risk of terrorist attack.  ¹The costs of hiring security personnel shall include the cost of hiring personnel for an event primarily organized by the applicant away from the applicant's physical location and for which the applicant bears legal liability.¹

     Applicants may apply annually for a disbursement of funds in each of the three years of the pilot program for costs of security personnel and may be awarded grants in successive years.

     Applicants may apply annually for grant funds in each of the three years of the pilot program for acquisition of target hardening equipment.  The Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness shall assign a preference for applicants ¹[(1) which are in locations that are not eligible for funding pursuant to the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), Pub.L.107-296 (6 U.S.C.s.603) and (2)]¹ who have not received either a federal or ¹[state] State¹ security grant in the last two grant cycles.

     d.    Within three years following the effective date of P.L.2017, ¹[c.246)] c.246¹, the director shall submit a report to the Governor, and to the Legislature as provided under section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), containing an evaluation of the pilot program. The report shall provide the director's opinion as to whether the pilot program should be continued and, if so, make recommendations for further improvement, modifications, and implementation.

(cf: P.L.2017, c.246, s.3)

 

     4.    This act shall take effect immediately.