This bill mandates the New Jersey Department of Corrections (DOC) to establish standards of habitability for all prison housing units, specifically including Restorative Housing Units (RHUs). These standards must meet or exceed those set by the American Correctional Association. The bill aims to address ongoing health and safety issues reported in RHUs, such as sewage spills, inadequate sanitation, poor drainage, and inconsistent heating, which have been highlighted by the New Jersey Office of the Corrections Ombudsperson.

To implement these standards, the DOC is required to adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. The bill is set to take effect 90 days after its enactment, reflecting a legislative response to the recommendations made by the Office of the Corrections Ombudsperson in a report from October 2024, which called for minimum standards for the habitability of prison housing units.