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Bill > S2770
NJ S2770
NJ S2770Limits use of restrictions on telephone calls as discipline measure during incarceration.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill is in response to the recommendations made by the New Jersey Office of the Corrections Ombudsperson in its April 2024 report titled, "Visits and Phone Calls," and provides for limiting the use of suspension of telephone privileges as a disciplinary measure for incarcerated persons. The bill establishes rules and regulations concerning disciplinary sanctions that limit the use of telephone privileges of an incarcerated person. Pursuant to the bill, in instances where a disciplinary sanction suspending telephone privileges is imposed on an incarcerated person, the Administrator of the correctional facility will allow the incarcerated person at least one opportunity every two weeks to place a telephone call. The Administrator will also either notify the emergency contact of the incarcerated person, or allow the incarcerated person to notify the emergency contact, that telephone access has been suspended. Further, no suspension of telephone privileges will exceed 90 consecutive days and will not exceed 180 days in a given year of incarceration. The Commissioner must also ensure that suspension of telephone privileges will not be imposed on an incarcerated person who has been placed in a Restorative Housing Unit. Finally, no telephone sanctions will be imposed within 60 days of the date that the incarcerated person is scheduled to be released. If sanctions were imposed prior to 60 days before release date, the sanctions will be terminated for the 60 day period before release. The Commissioner may adopt rules and regulations as necessary to implement this act.
AI Summary
This bill, in response to recommendations from the New Jersey Office of the Corrections Ombudsperson, aims to limit the use of suspending telephone privileges as a disciplinary measure for incarcerated individuals. It mandates that the Commissioner of Corrections establish rules ensuring reasonable security for telephone systems while also outlining specific disciplinary limitations. These limitations include allowing incarcerated persons at least one phone call every two weeks when their privileges are suspended, requiring notification to emergency contacts about the suspension, and capping any single suspension at 90 consecutive days and total annual suspensions at 180 days. Furthermore, telephone privilege suspensions cannot be imposed on individuals in Restorative Housing Units, which are special units that may restrict access, and no sanctions can be enacted within 60 days of an incarcerated person's scheduled release, with any existing sanctions being terminated during that final 60-day period. The Commissioner is empowered to adopt necessary regulations to implement these changes.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S2770 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3000/2770_I1.HTM |
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