Bill
Bill > A3511
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 would require the Department of Corrections to establish standards of habitability for all prison housing units, including but not limited to all Restorative Housing Units ("RHU"s). RHUs house certain prison inmates who have been removed from the prison's general population as a disciplinary measure. RHU inmates' activities, possessions, and privileges are restricted. According to the New Jersey Office of the Corrections Ombudsperson, the RHU at Northern State Prison experiences frequent health and safety problems including, among others, sewage spills, lack of basic sanitation, poor drainage, plumbing, and ventilation, and inconsistent heating. In a report issued in October 2024, the Office of the Corrections Ombudsperson recommended that legislation be enacted to set minimum standards for habitability of prison housing units. This bill embodies this recommendation.
AI Summary
This bill requires the Department of Corrections to create and implement standards for basic living conditions, known as habitability standards, in all prison housing units, which includes Restorative Housing Units (RHUs). RHUs are special areas where inmates are placed when removed from the general prison population for disciplinary reasons, and their activities and privileges are limited. The bill aims to address documented issues in RHUs, such as sewage problems, lack of sanitation, and poor heating, by ensuring these housing units meet or surpass the habitability standards set by the American Correctional Association, a professional organization for correctional facilities. The Department of Corrections will establish these standards by following the Administrative Procedure Act, which outlines how government agencies create and adopt regulations, and the bill will become effective 90 days after it is officially passed into law.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs 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/A3511 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4000/3511_I1.HTM |
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