SENATE COMMUNITY AND URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3358

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 11, 2021

      The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3358.

      This bill would require the Commissioner of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Commissioner of Corrections, to promulgate regulations establishing standards for publicly-supported transitional housing for former prisoners who are reentering the community.  The standards are based on core features of the Fortune Academy, a model prisoner reentry transitional housing program in New York City.  The regulations would help former prisoners successfully transition and reintegrate back into their communities.

      The regulations would have to include standards for the following:

      (1)  ensuring the physical safety of the residents;

      (2)  providing emergency and longer-term housing;

      (3)  counseling and support services to assist residents successfully transition back into the community, including substance abuse treatment, medical services, independent living skills training, education, career development, family services, and recreation;

      (4)  personalized care management, including targeted care for residents who served long terms of incarceration; and

      (5)  assisting residents obtain permanent housing.