Bill Text: NJ S543 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Establishes Office of Women's Services in DOC.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-01-11 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [S543 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2022-S543-Introduced.html

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SENATE, No. 543

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2022 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  M. TERESA RUIZ

District 29 (Essex)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Senators Corrado and Pou

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Establishes Office of Women's Services in DOC.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

  

An Act establishing the Office of Women's Services and supplementing Title 30 of the Revised Statutes.

 

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

 

      1.   There is established in the Department of Corrections the Office of Women's Services.  The office shall have all powers necessary or proper to enable it to carry out the office's duties, functions, and powers under this act.  The office shall ensure that policies, programs, and services are in place and available to address:

      a.   the specific needs of female inmates in the following areas: medical treatment, including prenatal care; mental health treatment, including treatment for physical or sexual abuse or other trauma; substance abuse treatment; parenting; and child reunification;

      b.   the specific needs of female inmates who are pregnant, have given birth while incarcerated, have recently given birth prior to incarceration, or are breastfeeding; and

      c.   any other areas deemed appropriate by the commissioner.

 

      2.   a.   The office shall be under the immediate supervision of a director.  The director of the office shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall serve during the term of office of the Governor appointing the director and until the director's successor is appointed and has qualified.

     b.    The director shall administer the work of the office under the direction and supervision of the commissioner, and shall perform other functions of the department as the commissioner may prescribe.  The director shall receive a salary as provided by law.

     c.     The director may appoint employees as may be necessary, subject to the provisions of Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

     3.    This act shall take effect on the first day of the tenth month after enactment.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill establishes the Office of Women's Services in the Department of Corrections.

     Under the provisions of this bill, the office is required to ensure that policies, programs, and services are in place and available to address: 1) the specific needs of female inmates in the following areas: medical treatment, including prenatal care; mental health treatment, including treatment for physical or sexual abuse or other trauma; substance abuse treatment; parenting; and child reunification; 2) the specific needs of female inmates who are pregnant, have given birth while incarcerated, have recently given birth prior to incarceration, or are breastfeeding; and 3) any other areas deemed appropriate by the commissioner.

     The bill provides that the office is to be under the immediate supervision of a director who is to be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate.  The director may appoint employees as necessary, subject to the provisions of Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes (Civil Service).