ASSEMBLY HOMELAND SECURITY AND STATE PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4004

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 16, 2023

      The Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4004.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 4004 establishes a safe haven program in fire stations throughout the State for the purpose of providing additional services for victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence.

      The bill specifically requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the Department of Children and Families, Commission on Human Trafficking, and Advisory Council on Domestic Violence, to establish a program to ensure that victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence have a safe haven at fire stations where they will be referred by fire station personnel to emergency shelters, victim advocacy services, legal aid, and community resources.  The program is to establish specific training and educational requirements for fire station personnel concerning community resources that are available to victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence.  Victim intake evaluation criteria and requirements for fire station personnel who make referrals and assist in the coordination of services for these victims also would be required by the bill.  The bill further requires anti-discrimination provisions that ensure victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence obtain these services without regard to their citizenship status.

      This act appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Fund to the Human Trafficking Survivor’s Assistance Fund to establish and implement the safe haven program established by the bill.