Bill Text: NJ A2427 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to train inspectors on identifying terrorist activity; creates grant program for inspectors to obtain radiation detection devices; appropriates $300,000.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-16 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee [A2427 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A2427-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman GORDON M. JOHNSON
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Requires Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to train inspectors on identifying terrorist activity; creates grant program for inspectors to obtain radiation detection devices; appropriates $300,000.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning homeland security, supplementing chapter 9 of Appendix A and making an appropriation.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness shall develop a training program for State or local code enforcement officers who inspect real property, to enable such inspectors to identify potential terrorist activity and report such activity to the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. The program shall be offered to all inspectors free of charge. Participation in the program by an inspector shall be voluntary and require the inspector's employer's approval.
b. The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness may adopt regulations concerning the content and duration of the training program required by this section.
2. a. There is hereby established in the Department of Law and Public Safety a radiation detection equipment grant program. An inspector may apply to the Department of Law and Public Safety for a grant to purchase a radiation detection device. The Attorney General may grant the application if he determines that issuing such a device would further public safety.
b. The Attorney General shall have complete discretion in awarding grants pursuant to this section. The Attorney General shall also have the authority to discontinue the grant program entirely if, in his opinion, the program is not effective in protecting public safety. The Attorney General may establish guidelines concerning, but not limited to, applications for funding, grantee accountability, grantee training, specifications of equipment eligible for grant funding, reasonable prices for equipment, and permissible uses of equipment.
3. There is appropriated from the General Fund $300,000 to the Department of Law and Public Safety to effectuate the purposes of this act. Of the $300,000, $200,000 shall be given to the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to develop, advertise and conduct the training program required by this act. The remaining $100,000 shall be used by the Attorney General for radiation detection device grants.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
The purpose of this bill is to increase the State's intelligence gathering capabilities and protect the safety of code inspectors. The bill requires the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to develop a training program for inspectors on how to identify and report terrorist activity. The training would be voluntary for inspectors.
The bill also authorizes the Attorney General to grant money to inspectors to purchase equipment to detect radioactive materials that could be used to create a "dirty bomb" if, in the opinion of the Attorney general, supplying the equipment to the inspector would enhance public safety. The bill gives complete discretion over the grant program to the Attorney General.
The bill contains an appropriation of $300,000 to the Department of Law and Public Safety. Of that amount, $200,000 would be given to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to develop, advertise and conduct the training program. The remaining $100,000 would be used by the Attorney General for radiation detection device grants.
