This bill amends existing law to require that civilly committed sexually violent predators be compensated for institutional work at the same rate as State inmates, rather than the current minimum wage. Specifically, it inserts language stating that these individuals shall be compensated at the same rate for comparable work assignments, such as kitchen clerks and bathroom and laundry workers. This change aims to align the compensation structure for civilly committed individuals with that of State inmates, which is typically lower than the minimum wage.

The bill is based on a recommendation from the State Auditor, who estimated that this adjustment could result in annual savings of approximately $1.9 million. The proposed amendments also clarify the responsibilities of the Department of Corrections and the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in managing the care and treatment of sexually violent predators, ensuring that they are housed separately from other offenders and that their treatment needs are specifically addressed. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 30:4-27.34