The New Jersey Human Rights Accountability Act establishes the New Jersey Human Rights Commission, replacing the existing New Jersey Relations Council. This new commission will serve as a permanent, independent body responsible for reviewing the state's human rights situation, promoting prejudice reduction education, and developing human rights standards for public contracts. It will consist of a diverse executive committee, including public members and experts in civil rights, and will have the authority to conduct public hearings and establish subcommittees. The commission is also mandated to conduct biennial reviews of human rights in New Jersey, following a process similar to the U.N. Universal Periodic Review, which includes data collection, public hearings, and publishing findings.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of state-level accountability in human rights, particularly in light of the federal government's withdrawal from the U.N. review process. It authorizes the Governor to enter into an interstate compact for civil and human rights reviews among states, ensuring that such agreements do not bind the U.S. government to foreign policy. The commission will collaborate with state departments to develop human rights standards for public contracts, and the Attorney General will investigate violations of these standards. Additionally, the bill amends police training requirements to include consultation with the Human Rights Commission, ensuring that new officers receive training on bias intimidation crimes. The act is set to take effect three months after its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:9DD-8, 52:9DD-9, 52:9DD-10, 52:9DD-11, 52:9DD-12, 52:17B-77.12