NJ A1818

Authorizes New Jersey counties to appoint a county pretrial release coordinator to evaluate the needs of defendants charged with indictable or disorderly persons offenses who have been released pretrial.

Coordinators would provide voluntary assistance with accessing social services, public benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance), substance use disorder treatment including medication-assisted treatment, employment services through One-Stop Career Centers, and insurance enrollment.

Requires coordinators to collect demographic data on defendants served and track rearrest and conviction rates for three years to analyze whether services reduce recidivism during pretrial release.

Mandates annual meetings with community stakeholders including judges, human services officials, mental health administrators, and treatment providers to establish best practices for pretrial services.

Implements recommendation number 15 from the June 2023 report of the reconvened Joint Committee on Criminal Justice, with funding to be provided through annual appropriations.