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Bill

A 4828

Improves the transportation of children with special needs

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ari Brown and 4 co-sponsors

Expands the Commission on Human Trafficking's duties to coordinate an intergovernmental response to trafficking, boost victim services, awareness, and access to federal funding.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · A 4828

Summary of Bill A 4828 (Introduced Version)

Note: The bill’s introduced content appears to address the Commission on Human Trafficking rather than “Improves the transportation of children with special needs” suggested by the title. The summary below reflects the introduced text and its substantive provisions.

Overview and Intent

  • Purpose: Expand the functions of the Commission on Human Trafficking to promote a coordinated intergovernmental law enforcement response to human trafficking in New Jersey. The bill seeks to enhance collaboration among state and local agencies and potentially access federal resources to support investigations, prosecutions, and victim services.
  • Connection to existing law: The Commission on Human Trafficking was created under P.L.2013, c.51 (N.J.S.A. 52:17B-237). This bill would broaden its mandate and operational focus.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Amends the core statute (P.L.2013, c.51) to expand Commission duties:

    • Promote a coordinated response among state and local law enforcement (including the Attorney General, county prosecutors, and local police) to facilitate investigations and prosecutions of human trafficking.
    • Review and coordinate resources from public and private sectors for victims of trafficking; ensure alignment with enforcement efforts.
    • Develop mechanisms for public awareness of human trafficking, victim remedies, and prevention.
    • Create a public awareness sign promoting the national 24-hour toll-free hotline for human trafficking referenced in the current law, and promote training and educational materials for mandated training on handling and responding to trafficking cases (as required by existing sections 18 and 19 of P.L.2013, c.51).
    • Explore and potentially leverage federal funding (e.g., through the Bureau of Justice Assistance) for intergovernmental coordination efforts.

  • Commission composition (remains a 15-member body) with detailed public member appointments:

    • Ex officio members: Attorney General, Commissioner of Children and Families (or designee), Commissioner of Human Services (or designee), a county prosecutor (Governor’s appointment, recommended by the County Prosecutors Association).
    • Appointed members include one member from the NJ Human Trafficking Task Force; two public members representing law enforcement and a victim’s assistance organization; additional members representing health care or mental health services; child advocacy and a human trafficking survivor; and other public members with related expertise.
    • Public members must have experience or specialized knowledge related to human trafficking (legal, policy, educational, social, or psychological aspects).

  • Terms and governance:

    • Initial terms for public members vary (three-year and two-year terms) with subsequent terms at three years.
    • The commission organizes with a chair and vice-chair; a secretary may be appointed.
    • Quorum requires a majority of the authorized membership.
    • Members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses.

  • Support and operations:

    • The Division of Criminal Justice (within the Department of Law and Public Safety) provides staff support at the Attorney General’s direction.
    • The commission may incur expenses within available funds.

  • Reporting:

    • Annual report to the Governor and Legislature outlining activities, findings, recommendations for new services/resources for victims, and proposed changes to current trafficking law.

  • Effective date: Immediate.

Who Is Affected

  • State agencies within criminal justice, public safety, health, and social services.
  • Law enforcement at the state and local levels, prosecutors, victim assistant organizations, health care and mental health providers, child advocacy groups.
  • Public stakeholders and potential funding sources (including federal grant opportunities).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Referred to Education (as of Feb 6, 2025; earlier action in Sept 2024).
  • Legislative actions indicate companion and related bills exist (e.g., S 1880; S 7018; A 3328).
  • No new deadlines or mandated implementation timeline beyond immediate effect.

Sponsors and Related Information

  • Sponsors include: Eric Brown (primary), with Brian Maher, Chris Tague, David DiPietro, Joe DeStefano (cosponsors).
  • Related companion bills in other houses and prior-session bills are noted.

If you’d like, I can align this with the stated title about transportation of children with special needs or compare with the related bills to provide a more integrated view.

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

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