This bill mandates the New Jersey Department of Corrections (DOC) to establish and implement standards for cell sizes in prison housing units, ensuring that these standards meet or exceed those set by the American Correctional Association. Specifically, the bill stipulates that single-occupancy cells must provide a minimum of 35 square feet of unencumbered space, while multiple-occupancy units must offer at least 25 square feet of unencumbered space per occupant, both with a minimum ceiling height of eight feet.

The legislation is a response to recommendations from the Office of the Corrections Ombudsperson, which highlighted the need for minimum standards for the habitability of prison housing units, including cell sizes. Currently, while the New Jersey Administrative Code regulates county jail cell sizes, there are no established minimum size standards for state prison cells. The bill is set to take effect 25 months after its enactment, allowing the DOC to take necessary anticipatory actions for its implementation.