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A 5261

Relates to preventing the use of funds, financial incentives, subsidies or tax exemptions for projects with non-public occupants

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michaelle Solages

Creates reentry training programs within fire safety and EMS to help formerly incarcerated individuals pursue firefighting or EMT careers while meeting certification standards.

REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
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Bill Summary · A 5261

Bill Summary: A-5261 (Introduced February 10, 2025)

Note: The provided bill text appears to address fire service and emergency medical services (EMS) reentry training for individuals formerly incarcerated. The bill’s title in your materials mentions a different subject related to funding incentives for projects with non-public occupants, but the introduced version content focuses on a reentry training program within the Division of Fire Safety and the Office of Emergency Medical Services. This summary reflects the introduced text and its substantive provisions.

Overview

  • Purpose: Create a reentry training program within New Jersey’s fire service and EMS system to help individuals formerly incarcerated transition to careers in firefighting or EMS, expanding workforce opportunities while maintaining certification integrity.
  • Scope: Establishment of a reentry program by the Division of Fire Safety (within the Department of Community Affairs’ framework) and by the Office of Emergency Medical Services (DOH), with eligibility criteria and application timelines.
  • Effective date: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after enactment; anticipatory action permitted by the relevant agencies.

Key Provisions

1) Amends Division of Fire Safety duties (P.L.1983, c.382)
- Adds a reentry program establishment in conjunction with the Department of Health, limited to:
- Persons formerly incarcerated and transitioning out of the criminal justice system.
- Individuals who would not be disqualified from EMT certification under current law (see below).
- Specifies that applications for admission to the program begin six months after the act’s effective date.

2) Creates a new Office of Emergency Medical Services (DOH) reentry program
- Section 2 of the act establishes a parallel reentry training program within the Office of Emergency Medical Services.
- Eligibility mirrors the Fire Safety program: formerly incarcerated individuals transitioning out of the criminal justice system, not disqualified from EMT certification.

3) Certification eligibility constraint
- A person who would be disqualified from EMT certification under the provisions of P.L.2013, c.101 (C.26:2K-65.1, subsection b) cannot participate in the reentry program.

4) Implementation timeline
- Applications for admission: six months after the act’s effective date.
- Effective date: as noted above, with potential anticipatory action by the Division of Fire Safety and the Office of Emergency Medical Services.

Who Is Affected

  • Formerly incarcerated individuals seeking a path into firefighting or EMS careers.
  • Fire Safety Division (DCA) and the DOH’s Office of Emergency Medical Services as program administrators.
  • EMT-certification authorities, who must consider existing disqualification criteria when determining eligibility for program participation.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introductions and referrals: The bill was introduced February 10, 2025, and referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness, then to Local Governments (two referrals noted on Feb. 12, 2025).
  • Pending companion: S 5171 (companion bill) indicates cross-chamber consideration.
  • Next steps: Committee evaluations, potential amendments, and a floor vote would determine enactment status.

Sponsors and Related Legislation

  • Primary Sponsor: Michaelle C. Solages.
  • Related bills: A-7256, A-5200, A-6606 (prior sessions); S-5171 (companion).

This bill would create new pathways for individuals with prior criminal justice involvement to pursue careers in fire and EMS, while ensuring certification standards are maintained.

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

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