Bill > S2272

This bill establishes a pilot program for gambling treatment diversion courts within the criminal justice system, aiming to provide treatment for individuals convicted of crimes committed due to a gambling disorder, which is defined as a condition meeting the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or problem gambling characterized by loss of control and preoccupation with gambling. The program, administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), will be modeled after a similar initiative in Las Vegas and will involve qualified mental health professionals, including certified counselors and licensed medical and psychological practitioners, who will assess participants and oversee their treatment. Eligible individuals, who must agree to pay program costs to the extent of their financial resources, will have their sentencing deferred while they undergo treatment, which may include counseling and support sessions, and if they successfully complete the program, their conviction can be set aside, with records eligible for expungement. However, individuals convicted of serious violent crimes, crimes against children, or domestic violence, or those with multiple prior convictions for such offenses, are generally excluded, though exceptions may apply for those on probation or parole with consent. The program will also include a "gambling court coordinator" to gather and report on participant progress, and the AOC will conduct a study to determine if the program should be continued after its three-year duration.

Justice

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S2272