New Jersey Assembly Bill A3460

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/22
• Refer: 3/8/22

Caption

Requires sharing of incarceration information between government agencies; prohibits certain benefits program payments to incarcerated individuals.

Impact

The implications of A3460 are significant for both the state government and individuals involved. By implementing this bill, multiple departments including the Department of Human Services and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development will gain immediate access to timely information about the incarceration status of individuals. The intent is to maintain compliance with benefit eligibility rules and prevent improper payments, which the bill justifies by referencing a report from the Office of the State Comptroller that noted substantial improper benefit payments totaling over $23 million to incarcerated individuals.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3460 proposes the requirement for sharing incarceration information between government agencies in New Jersey. The bill aims to prevent individuals who are currently incarcerated from receiving certain state and federal benefits. It establishes a protocol for the Department of Corrections (DOC), alongside the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), to create and maintain a centralized and cost-effective database that will house data regarding inmates to verify their eligibility for various benefits programs such as unemployment insurance and Medicaid.

Contention

While the bill seeks to tighten regulations surrounding the distribution of benefits to incarcerated individuals, it raises questions about the balance between social support systems and fraud prevention. Critics may argue that the bill can potentially lead to deeper disparities in support for those who are incarcerated and increase the challenges for their reintegration into society. There is also potential contention related to privacy rights and the scope of data sharing, which might affect how personal information of incarcerated individuals is handled and accessed by state agencies.