The bill amends New Jersey's parole process by introducing several key changes aimed at enhancing the rights of incarcerated individuals and victims. It replaces the term "inmate" with "incarcerated person" to promote a more humane language approach. The legislation mandates that a parole representative accompany incarcerated individuals during specific proceedings and expands the disclosure of confidential materials to them. Reports regarding parole eligibility must now include detailed information about the individual's pre-incarceration records, conduct during confinement, psychological evaluations, and any history of civil commitment. Additionally, the bill ensures that victims are notified of their opportunity to present statements at parole hearings and requires a majority confirmation from the full parole board for parole recommendations in murder cases.

Moreover, the bill enhances transparency in the parole process by requiring the parole board to disclose in its written notice of denial if any undisclosed confidential materials significantly influenced the decision. It also mandates that any confidential documents removed from an incarcerated person's file be documented, along with the reasons for their removal. The legislation codifies procedures from the *Thompson v. N.J. State Parole Board* case to facilitate access to confidential documents under certain circumstances. Furthermore, it requires the Appellate Division of the Superior Court to conduct in camera reviews of confidential materials involved in parole denials upon appeal, providing options for recourse if nondisclosure is deemed improper. Overall, the bill aims to improve the fairness and transparency of the parole process while ensuring adequate support for incarcerated individuals.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 30:4-123.54, 30:4-123.55, 30:4-123.58