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 health and social well-being, thereby enhancing court appearance rates and public safety. The program will be coordinated through an approved pretrial community support provider, which must have a history of providing comprehensive reentry services for at least two years prior to the program's implementation. Importantly, no state funds will be appropriated to support the program.

The bill also amends existing legislation to allow the court to consider a defendant's participation in this pilot program when making pretrial release decisions and during sentencing. Successful completion of the program will be factored into charging decisions and sentencing considerations by prosecutors and courts. Additionally, the bill clarifies that risk assessments conducted by the Pretrial Services Program should exclude factors related to marijuana offenses. At the conclusion of the pilot program, the Administrative Office of the Courts is required to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature evaluating the program's effectiveness and providing recommendations for future actions. The act will take effect four months after its enactment.

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