ASSEMBLY, No. 5251

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JANUARY 30, 2025

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  JESSICA RAMIREZ

District 32 (Hudson)

Assemblywoman  ALIXON COLLAZOS-GILL

District 27 (Essex and Passaic)

Assemblywoman  ROSAURA "ROSY" BAGOLIE

District 27 (Essex and Passaic)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywomen Peterpaul, Dunn and Park

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Makes supplemental appropriation of $3,000,000 to Division on Civil Rights.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


A Supplement to the annual appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, P.L.2024, c.22.

 

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

 

     1.    In addition to the amounts appropriated under P.L.2024, c.22, the annual appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, there is appropriated from the General Fund the following amount for the purpose specified:

 

66 DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY

80 Special Government Services

82 Protection of Citizens Rights

1350 Division on Civil Rights

 

DIRECT STATE SERVICES

16-1350  Division on Civil Rights ..................................... $3,000,000

                 Total Direct State Services: Appropriation,                         

                   Protection of Civil Rights ................................ $3,000,000

Direct State Services:

         16   Special Purpose,.................................... ($3,000,000)

         New Jersey Bias Investigation Access System (NJ BIAS)

 

The amount hereinabove appropriated for the New Jersey Bias Investigation Access System (NJ BIAS) shall be utilized to update system upgrades.  Any unexpended balance at the end of the fiscal year is to be carried forward and appropriated for the same purpose.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill appropriates $3 million to the Division on Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety.

     This appropriation is intended to specifically fund the New Jersey Bias Investigation Access System (NJ BIAS) updates needed to ensure State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies properly and uniformly track all bias crimes.

     The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) is the State agency charged with enforcing New Jersey’s civil rights laws, including the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, the New Jersey Family Leave Act, and the Fair Chance in Housing Act.  The mission of DCR is to protect the people of New Jersey from discrimination and bias-based harassment in employment, housing, and public accommodations.