After a hectic spring, the N.J. Legislature settled into its
Summer Recess. This then is a time to catch our collective breath and take
stock of how far our issues have come. The entire Assembly is on the ballot
this November 3. Subsequently, the last two months of 2015 will constitute the
“Lame Duck” session of the 2014/15 legislative Term. This is a period in which
many of the pending bills that are outstanding in the Lower House will be acted
upon before beginning the new 2016/17 Term. NCADD-NJ will continue to be a
presence in the hallways of the Statehouse, as well as, in the District offices
of Senators and Assembly members, advocating for quality treatment and recovery
services for those seeking a respite from the disease of addiction.
Thanks in large part to the efforts of our Advocate Leaders,
the message of addiction as an illness has resonated with a majority of our
state’s decision-makers. The result of that refinement of thinking has been that
we spend most of our time pushing for enhancements to public policies instead
of battling to block negative measures. The following are some of the proposals
that NCADD-NJ has been supporting:
S.2381/A.3723 – Permit the use of medication-assisted treatment
in drug court, prisons and jails – Signed into law
A.3719/S.2377 – Directs all public, four-year colleges and
universities, in which at least 25% of undergraduate students live in on-campus
housing, to establish a substance abuse recovery housing program. The purpose
of the recovery housing is to provide a supportive substance-free dormitory
environment. – Signed into law
S.2058/A.3738 – Authorizes establishment of three pilot
recovery alternative high schools that provide a secondary school education and
support a substance dependency plan of recovery – Passed Legislature,
Governor’s Conditional Veto
A.3602 and S.3164 – Would initiate a Certificate of
Rehabilitation – On Assembly Floor, in Senate committee
A.206/A.471/S.552 – Would automatically expunge the
convictions of a person who successfully completes Drug Court – Passes
Assembly, on Senate Floor
SJR56/AJR87 – Establish an Opioid Antidote Commission to
study and report on procedures to be used following the administration of an
opiate blocker to a hospital patient – In committee
S.53 – Requires correctional facilities to provide inmates
with medication that was prescribed for chronic conditions existing prior to
incarceration – In committee
A.2982/S.478 – Allow persons on parole and probation to vote
– In committee
A.3159/S.2457 – Provides that an inmate in a state prison
who is otherwise eligible for drug treatment cannot be denied access to an
on-site program solely based on that prisoner having any detainer or open
charge issued against her/him – In Senate committee, on Assembly Floor
S.2806 – Removes restrictions on certain convicted drug
offenders receiving General Assistance (formerly Welfare) benefits under Work
First NJ program – In committee
S.52/A.3730 – Would require certain doctors working in jails
or prisons to take a course recommended by the state, in how to deal with
individuals with addictions – In committee
By Ed Martone, Policy Analyst
