ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5614

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 8, 2025

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5614.

      This bill requires the Division of Parole to establish residency restrictions for certain sex offenders.

      The bill defines “sex offender” as a person sentenced to a special sentence of parole supervision for life for the commission of a sex offense which involves a victim under 18 years of age and who has been designated as high-risk of reoffending.

      Under the provisions of this bill, the Director of the Division of Parole in the State Parole Board is required to establish Statewide residency restrictions for sex offenders.  The residency restrictions are required to include, but are not limited to, prohibiting the sex offender from residing within 500 feet of the real property comprising an elementary or secondary school, child care center, or playground.

      The restrictions would not apply if: 1) the sex offender is serving a sentence at a jail, prison, juvenile facility, or other correctional institution or facility which is located within 500 feet of the real property comprising an elementary or secondary school, child care center, or playground; 2) the sex offender is receiving treatment at a mental health facility located within 500 feet of the real property comprising an elementary or secondary school, child care center, or playground; 3) the sex offender established the residence prior to the bill’s effective date; 4) an elementary or secondary school, child care center, or playground is built or established within 500 feet of the sex offender’s existing residence; 5) the Parole Board, after considering a sex offender’s housing options, determines that a needs-based exception is required; or 6) a court that discharges the sex offender from a psychiatric facility determines that an exemption is appropriate.

      Finally, the bill provides that the parole officer who is assigned to supervise a sex offender is required to utilize the residency requirements established by the Division of Parole when approving the residence or change of residence of a sex offender.