ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1388

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1388 with committee amendments.

This bill as amended would establish the “Military Pro Bono Program” which would provide pro bono legal representation in various areas of civil law to active-duty members of the Armed Forces, the Reserve components, members of the National Guard, and veterans.  Attorneys on a volunteer basis would represent these individuals in various civil law cases including, but not limited to, family law, estate planning, immigration law, employment law, debtor-creditor law and military administrative law. 

The Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B‑1 et seq.), would adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of the bill.

      The committee amended the bill to clarify that the bill applies to active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces and a reserve component thereof, including the National Guard, and veterans.  

As amended, this bill is identical to A2527(1R), which was also released by the committee on this date.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      1.   Clarify that the bill applies to active-duty members of the Armed Forces, the Reserve components, members of the National Guard, and veterans.  

      2.   Change the bill’s synopsis in accordance with the amendments.