SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 527

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 27, 2020

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 527.

      This bill requires State and county correctional facilities to offer inmates hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing.  Under the bill, the Commissioner of Corrections is required to offer blood testing for hepatitis B and hepatitis C to every inmate who is sentenced to a term of incarceration at a State Correctional facility. 

      In addition, the bill provides that the chief executive officer, warden, or keeper of any county correctional facility is required to offer blood testing for hepatitis B and hepatitis C to each person incarcerated in the facility. 

      Under the bill, the testing at State and county correctional facilities would be offered upon commencement of the period of confinement.  Finally, the bill provides that an inmate is not to be required to submit to the testing.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.