SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1279

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 19, 2026

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1279.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill establishes the “Youth Detention Task Force.” 

     The purpose of the task force is to assess the current condition of youth detention in this State and to recommend a system that would best serve this population.  The task force is to recommend whether existing county youth detention facilities, facilities managed by the Youth Justice Commission, or an alternative system of detention would best serve the youth of this State.  The task force may examine factors including, but not limited to, available resources, logistical considerations, safety protocols, staff training, rehabilitation opportunities, security requirements, and overall facility conditions. 

     As amended, the task force is to consist of 26 members.  Four legislative members are to be appointed to the task force including two members of the Senate and two members of the General Assembly.  The task force is to have ten ex-officio members, including: the Attorney General; the Administrative Director of the Courts; the Executive Director of the Youth Justice Commission; the Commissioners of Education, Children and Families, and Human Services; the Public Defender; the Superintendent of the State Police; the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice; and the chair of the Governor’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee. 

     An additional four public members are to be appointed to the task force by the President of the Senate, including: a representative of the New Jersey Association of County Youth Services Commission Administrators who has been recommended by the Youth Justice Commission; a county prosecutor who has been recommended by the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey; a county commissioner serving in a county which has a youth detention facility; and a county commissioner serving in a county which does not have a youth detention facility.

     An additional five public members are to be appointed to the task force by the Speaker of the General Assembly, including: a representative of the New Jersey Juvenile Detention Association; a representative of the New Jersey County Jail Wardens Association of New Jersey; a representative from the Sheriffs’ Association; a representative from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police; and a County Human Services Director.

     Furthermore, three members of the public with training or experience in the adjudication of youth offenders, who may be retired Family Court judges or attorneys in private practice, are to be appointed by the Governor.

     This amended bill becomes effective immediately upon enactment.  All appointments to the task force are to be made within 90 days of the bill’s effective date and the task force is to organize within 60 days of the appointment of a majority of the members.  The task force will choose a chairperson from among its membership and the Youth Justice Commission will provide administrative support.  The task force is entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes.  Within 18 months of its initial organization meeting, the task force is required to submit a report of its findings, including any legislative proposals, to the Governor and the Legislature.  The task force will expire 30 days after the submission of its report.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1)  add a representative from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police who would be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; and

      (2)  make technical changes.