Bill
A 3988
Requires free voice calls, video visits, and email for incarcerated people across New Jersey's state, county, and private facilities, ending charges, surcharges, or commissions.
Note — possible bill-title mismatch
- The bill number you provided (A3988) and the full text in the documents relate to a New Jersey bill that would require free telecommunication services for incarcerated persons. The initial short title you supplied about granting peace‑officer status to Ardsley security officers does not match the document content. The summary below is based on the bill text and fiscal note provided (A3988 – telecommunications for incarcerated persons).
Summary: purpose and intent
- Main purpose: Require that all State, county, and private adult and juvenile correctional facilities in New Jersey provide voice calls, video calls/visits, and electronic mail for incarcerated persons at no cost to either party to the communication. The bill aims to remove charges, fees, commissions, and surcharges for these services and to broaden access to modern communication methods.
Key provisions and changes
- Scope: Applies to Department of Corrections facilities, the Juvenile Justice Commission, county jails, and private correctional and juvenile offender facilities.
- Services required: Voice communication, video communication (video visits), and electronic mail must be provided free of charge to both senders and receivers.
- International calls: International voice calls must be included and provided at no cost.
- Procurement: Voice, video, and email contracts are subject to State and county procurement laws (chapter 34 of Title 52; chapter 11 of Title 40A).
- Prohibition on commissions/surcharges: Facilities may not accept commissions or impose surcharges, nor receive monetary or in‑kind payments tied to these communications.
- Security and rules: Department of Corrections and the Juvenile Justice Commission must adopt uniform rules and security measures to preserve facility safety and protect recipients.
- Existing balances: Any funds remaining in incarcerated persons’ prepaid accounts as of the bill’s effective date must be transferred to their commissary accounts.
- Appropriation: Appropriates from the General Fund “such funds as shall be necessary” for implementation, as certified by relevant agency heads and approved by the Division of Budget and Accounting.
- Effective date: First day of the sixth month after enactment; agencies may take anticipatory administrative action.
Who is affected
- Directly affected: incarcerated adults and juveniles in state, county, and private facilities, and their families/contacts who currently pay for calls or visits.
- Agencies affected: Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice Commission, counties, private prison operators.
- Service providers: Vendors under existing telecommunications contracts (contract terms likely to change).
Fiscal and practical impact
- State fiscal impact: Department of Corrections and Office of Legislative Services estimate an increased State cost of about $14.3 million annually (based on current contract rates and anticipated usage increases with new tablet technology).
- Juvenile Justice Commission: No fiscal impact expected because it already provides free phone/video services.
- County impact: Office of Legislative Services could not conclusively estimate county fiscal effects; local expenditures are indeterminate and may increase.
- Contract negotiations: The Department is negotiating new technology and tablet service contracts (ViaPath); final state costs could be higher.
Legislative status and timeline
- Introduced: March 7, 2024 (sponsored by Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky).
- Assembly actions: Passed Assembly June 10, 2025; printed as 3988A; reported and referred to Senate Rules after delivery to the Senate.
- Current status (per provided actions): Referred to Senate Rules (June 10, 2025).
- Related/co‑sponsored bills: S2526 (companion), S8324 (companion).
Potential policy implications (brief)
- Expected benefits: Reduced financial burden on families, increased contact and reentry supports, equity of access to modern communications for incarcerated persons.
- Considerations: State budgetary impact and uncertain county costs; impact on vendor contracts and facility security protocols.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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