ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2835

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 24, 2024

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 2835.

      As amended, this bill establishes the Second Chance Program within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.  The purpose of the program will be to provide real and lasting career opportunities through labor organizations for formerly incarcerated individuals, with the intent to reduce recidivism.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill is identical to Senate Bill No. 2583 (1R) of the 2024-2025 Legislative Session.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to remove the provision of the bill that the program be under the direction of the State Employment and Training Commission.

FISCAL IMAPCT:

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates that this bill would lead to an annual State cost increase of approximately $64,000 to $128,000. The bill does not provide for worker training programs; instead, the Second Chance program would provide career connections between formerly incarcerated individuals and labor organizations. The OLS determines that resources of between 0.5 and 1.0 full-time equivalent employee would be needed to implement the provisions of this bill.