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ACR 146

Establishes "Joint Committee on Human Trafficking."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Vicky Flynn and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a Joint Committee on Human Trafficking in New Jersey to study, monitor, and improve anti-trafficking efforts, with annual public reports and recommendations to lawmakers.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee
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Bill Summary · ACR 146

Summary of ACR 146 (2024) – Joint Committee on Human Trafficking

What the bill does

  • Establishes a temporary, standing joint committee in New Jersey called the “Joint Committee on Human Trafficking.”
  • The committee’s purpose is to assess and monitor human trafficking initiatives, programs, and supports in New Jersey, identify short-term and long-term solutions, and make recommendations to improve effectiveness.

Key provisions

  • The committee will evaluate the current state initiatives and supports for human trafficking and propose improvements to maximize effectiveness.

  • It may call upon:

    • The New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety (DLPS)
    • The New Jersey Commission on Human Trafficking
    • The Human Trafficking Unit of the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General
    • Academic institutions and organizations with expertise on human trafficking and victims’ issues
    • Other states’ approaches and funding mechanisms used to address human trafficking

  • Annual reporting: The committee must prepare and submit an annual report detailing findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation or regulatory actions. Minority statements may be included in the report if any member disagrees with the majority view.

Membership and governance

  • Composition: Six members total — three from the Senate (appointed by the President of the Senate) and three from the General Assembly (appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly).
  • Party mix: No more than two members from the same political party can be on the committee from either the Senate or the General Assembly.
  • Leadership: The President and the Speaker each designate one appointee to serve as co-chairperson.

Meetings, procedures, and staff

  • First meeting: Must occur within 30 days after a majority of the members are appointed; thereafter, meetings are held at the co-chairs’ call.
  • Quorum and votes: A majority of the committee constitutes a quorum; actions require a majority vote of the full membership.
  • Transparency: All public meetings are recorded and transcribed; meetings involving official committee action are open to the public.
  • Notice: Co-chairs must jointly notify the Office of Legislative Services (OLS) to post and distribute meeting notices and agendas.
  • Staffing: The Office of Legislative Services provides professional and clerical staff.
  • Resources: The committee may utilize staff and resources from state, county, or municipal agencies, or public higher education institutions, and may hire stenographic/clerical support and incur travel and related expenses within available funds.

Reporting requirements

  • The committee must annually deliver a report to:
    • President of the Senate
    • Speaker of the General Assembly
    • Minority Leader of the Senate
    • Minority Leader of the General Assembly
    • Chairpersons of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee and the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee (or their successors)

Timeline and status

  • Introduced in the Assembly on December 16, 2024.
  • Referred to the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee.
  • This is a concurrent resolution (not a standalone law) that creates a joint legislative body to study and report on the effectiveness of human trafficking initiatives in New Jersey.

Potential impact

  • Improves interbranch coordination on human trafficking policy and program oversight.
  • Provides a formal mechanism to review current initiatives, adopt best practices from other states, and assess funding approaches.
  • Produces annual legislative and regulatory recommendations, which could inform future bills or budget requests.
  • Enhances transparency through publicly accessible meetings and annual reports.

Related legislation

  • Companion bill: SCR 118 (senate concurrent resolution)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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