Sponsored by:
Assemblyman HERB CONAWAY, JR.
District 7 (Burlington)
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblyman JOHN ARMATO
District 2 (Atlantic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Murphy and Assemblyman Mukherji
SYNOPSIS
Requires naltrexone and naloxone be offered to certain inmates prior to release from incarceration.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning State correctional inmates and amending P.L.2009, c.329.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 2 of P.L.2009, c.329 (C.30:1B-6.2) is amended to read as follows:
2. The Commissioner of Corrections shall provide to each inmate at least [ten] 10 days prior to release from a State correctional facility:
a. A copy of the inmate's criminal history record and written information on the inmate's right to have his criminal records expunged under chapter 52 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes;
b. General written information on the inmate's right to vote under R.S.19:4-1;
c. General written information on the availability of programs, including faith-based and secular programs, that would assist in removing barriers to the inmate's employment or participation in vocational or educational rehabilitative programs, including, but not limited to information concerning the "Rehabilitated Convicted Offenders Act," P.L.1968, c.282 (C.2A:168A-1 et seq.) and the certificate of rehabilitation under P.L.2007, c.327 (C.2A:168A-7 et seq.);
d. A detailed written record of the inmate's participation in educational, training, employment, and medical or other treatment programs while the inmate was incarcerated;
e. A written accounting of the fines, assessments, surcharges, restitution, penalties, child support arrearages, and any other obligations due and payable by the inmate upon release;
f. A non-driver identification card, which shall be issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and for which the [Motor Vehicle Commission] commission shall accept a former inmate's Department of Corrections identification card to have a two-point value in applying for the non-driver identification card;
g. A copy of the inmate's birth certificate if the inmate was born in New Jersey;
h. Assistance in obtaining a Social Security card;
i. A one-day New Jersey bus or rail pass;
j. A two-week supply of prescription medication;
k. General written information concerning child support, including child support payments owed by the inmate, information on how to seek child support payments and information on where to seek services regarding child support, child custody, and establishing parentage; and
l. (1) A medical discharge summary, which shall include instructions on how to obtain from the commissioner a copy of the inmate's full medical record. Upon request from the inmate, the commissioner shall provide a copy of the inmate's full medical record in a safe and secure manner, at no charge to the inmate.
(2) Within 90 days of the effective date of this act, the commissioner, in consultation with the State Board of Medical Examiners, shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to ensure that these records are expeditiously and securely provided, in a manner consistent with the provision of medical records by other providers.
m. The Commissioner of Corrections shall offer each inmate on the day the inmate is released from a State correctional facility:
(1) an injection of naltrexone if it is determined that the injection is appropriate for that inmate; and
(2) a one-dose supply of naloxone if it is determined that the medication is appropriate for that inmate.
(cf: P.L.2011, c.191, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the sixth month next following enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Commissioner of Corrections to offer certain inmates an injection of naltrexone and a one-dose supply of naloxone prior to release from incarceration.
Specifically, under the provisions of this bill, the Commissioner of Corrections is required to offer each inmate, on the day the inmate is released from a State correctional facility, an injection of naltrexone and a one-dose supply of naloxone if it is determined that the injection or medication is appropriate for that inmate.
Naltrexone is a medication used to treat opioid use disorders by blocking the euphoric and sedative effects of drugs such as heroin, morphine, and codeine. It is also used to treat alcohol use disorders by blocking the euphoric effects and feeling of intoxication. The injectable form of the drug, also known as Vivitrol, is administered once per month.
Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication that is used to reverse an opioid overdose. Opioids include heroin and prescription pain medications such as morphine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone.