Legislative Round-up

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