[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4253

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

217th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED OCTOBER 20, 2016

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  ANNETTE QUIJANO

District 20 (Union)

Assemblyman  RAJ MUKHERJI

District 33 (Hudson)

Assemblywoman  VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE

District 37 (Bergen)

Assemblyman  TIM EUSTACE

District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Establishes "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Pilot Program"; appropriates $3,000,000 over next three fiscal years.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee on January 19, 2017, with amendments.

  

An Act establishing a "¹New Jersey¹ Nonprofit Security Grant Pilot Program¹[.]¹" ¹and making an appropriation.¹

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    The Legislature finds and declares:

     a.     In these volatile times, the need to remain vigilant concerning domestic security and ¹[state] State¹ and local preparedness has remained of imminent importance;

     b. Certain nonprofit organizations are at high risk for threats, attacks, and other violent acts, and would benefit from engaging in target hardening activities to reduce vulnerability;

     c. Federal grant money distributed through the United States Department of Homeland Security's Nonprofit Security Grant Program provides these organizations with funds for certain target hardening activities, but does not allow recipients to use the funds for the expansion of existing security personnel or the hiring of temporary security personnel;

     d. With the threat potential increasing during specific times of year or when high profile events are occurring, certain nonprofit organizations would benefit from additional funding to ensure security personnel is adequate to meet ¹the¹ increased need;

     e. Because threats, attacks, and other violent acts are not limited to public sector entities, it is appropriate for the State to assist certain targeted nonprofit organizations ¹[of] in¹ the private sector to ensure their readiness and the safety of their surrounding communities; and

     f.     Accordingly, it is within the public interest to establish a three-year "¹New Jersey¹ Nonprofit Security Grant Pilot Program" in the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness which shall provide grants to eligible nonprofit organizations to hire permanent or temporary security personnel for the purpose of preparedness and reduction of vulnerability. 

 

     2.    As used in this act:

     "Director" means the ¹[director] Director¹ of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.

     "Eligible nonprofit organization" means a nonprofit organization located in New Jersey which ¹[has been deemed eligible to receive or] :  (1)¹  has received federal grant funds from the ¹United States¹ Department of Homeland Security's Nonprofit Security Grant Program ¹[offered]¹ in any fiscal year ¹; (2) is eligible to
receive federal grant funds from the program; or (3) would otherwise be eligible to receive federal grant funds from the program, except that the nonprofit organization is located within a county not served by the program¹.

 

     3.    a. There is hereby established a three-year ¹"New Jersey¹ Nonprofit Security Grant Pilot ¹[Program] Program"¹ in the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness ¹,¹ which shall provide grants to eligible nonprofit organizations to hire permanent or temporary security personnel ¹limited to federal, State, county, or municipal law enforcement officers, special law enforcement officers appointed pursuant to P.L.1985, c.439 (C.40A:14-146.8 et seq.), or security officers registered pursuant to P.L.2004, c.134 (C.45:19A-1 et seq.)¹ for the purpose of preparedness against threats, attacks, and other violent acts.

     b.    The director shall administer the pilot program for three years following the effective date of P.L.   , c.    (C.    ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).  There shall annually be appropriated from the General Fund to the ¹[office $500,000] Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness $1,000,000¹ in each of the three years of the program to be distributed to approved eligible nonprofit organizations, up to a maximum grant of $10,000 per approved application.

     c.     An eligible nonprofit organization shall apply to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to receive a grant under the pilot program.  Applicants may apply annually for a disbursement of funds in each of the three years of the pilot program.

     d.    Within three years following the effective date of P.L.    , c.   (C.    ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the director shall submit a report to the Governor, and to the Legislature as provided under section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), containing an evaluation of the pilot program.  The report shall provide the director's opinion as to whether the pilot program should be continued and, if so, ¹make¹ recommendations for further improvement, modifications, and implementation.

 

     4.    This act shall take effect immediately.