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A2194
ASSEMBLY, No. 2194
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
�
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
���� Authorizes use of county inmate welfare funds for
certain reentry services.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative
Counsel.
��
An Act
concerning inmate welfare funds and
supplementing chapter 4 of Title 30 of the Revised Statutes.�
����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:
���� 1.��� Notwithstanding the
provisions of subsection k. of section 18 of P.L.1971, c.384 (C.30:4-1.1), a
county correctional facility may expend inmate welfare funds to provide or
coordinate reentry services for incarcerated inmates.� These services may
include, but not be limited to, paying salaries of employees of the facility
whose duties include coordinating access to federal, State, or any other
available benefits or services that will assist inmates in successfully
reintegrating into the community upon release.�
���� 2.��� This act shall take
effect on the first day of the fourth month next following enactment.�
STATEMENT
���� This bill authorizes county
correctional facilities to use inmate welfare funds to provide or coordinate
reentry services for inmates incarcerated in the facility.�
���� The sources of income of
inmate welfare funds are sales at the prison commissary, interest on welfare
fund savings, gifts from individuals, corporation and charitable foundations,
and income from inmate trust fund investments.� The funds are maintained by local
boards of trustees.� State regulations require the funds to be used for
amenities for the use, benefit, and general welfare of the inmate population as
a whole.� These amenities include, but are not limited to: �recreation and
sports equipment; television services; awards for academic, vocational, and
sporting achievements; library books, movies, magazines, and other
subscriptions; annual licensing fees for a film blanket license visit;
recreation, holiday, and inmate incentive program decorations and food;
stipends for referees and guest speakers; and equipment to enhance the law
library that is not otherwise required for legal access.
���� This bill expands the use of
these inmate welfare funds to include reentry services for county inmates to
assist them in successfully transitioning into the community after they are
released from incarceration.� The bill specifically authorizes the use of these
funds to pay salaries of employees in the facility whose duties include
assisting inmates in accessing available federal, State, or other benefits or
services, such as Medicaid, welfare, housing, and substance abuse treatment.