The bill establishes a one-year pilot program known as the Pretrial Partnership for Community Support and Services Pilot Program, which will be implemented in Monmouth, Union, Camden, and Cumberland counties. The program aims to provide eligible defendants on pretrial release with biopsychosocial assessments, case management, and various treatment services to improve their court appearance rates and overall public safety. The services will be coordinated through an approved pretrial community support provider, which must have a minimum of two years of experience in delivering comprehensive reentry services. Importantly, the bill specifies that no state funds will be allocated to support the program.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing laws regarding pretrial release decisions, mandating that courts make these decisions within 48 hours of a defendant's commitment to jail. It introduces new legal language that allows successful participation in the pilot program to be considered by prosecutors and courts during charging decisions and sentencing. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of the approved pretrial community support provider, including conducting assessments and developing individualized pretrial plans for eligible defendants. A report evaluating the program's effectiveness and providing recommendations for future actions will be submitted to the Governor and Legislature at the end of the pilot. The act will take effect four months after its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:162-17, 2A:162-20, 2A:162-25