Turner-Cunningham Bill To Increase Alternatives To Jail For Non-Violent Offenders Signed Into Law

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Linda R. Greenstein and Fred Madden that will strengthen New Jersey’s sex offender registry statute – Megan’s Law – has been signed into law.

“In the nearly twenty years since Megan Kanka was horrifically murdered, the state has made great efforts to protect children from sexual predators,” said Senator Greenstein, D-Middlesex and Mercer. “Since Megan’s Law went into effect, sex offenders must register and families must be made aware of serious offenders living in their neighborhoods. When extreme circumstances occur and a family must be evacuated or displaced from their home, parents need peace of mind that their children will not be put in harm’s way. This law will ensure that agencies responsible for these housing placements have access to information to protect children from dangerous individuals, so we can continue to provide safe, temporary housing for New Jersey’s families. It is imperative that Megan’s Law continues to evolve to ensure that children throughout the state are protected. With the enactment of this legislation, we are doing just that.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Linda R. Greenstein that would strengthen New Jersey’s sex offender registry statute – Megan’s Law – was unanimously approved today by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

“Since the horrific death of Megan Kanka nearly 20 years, New Jersey has been a leader nationally and internationally in legislation to protect our children from sexual predators,” said Senator Greenstein, D-Middlesex/Mercer, vice chair of the Committee. “The law creating the statewide sex offender database has continued to evolve to meet modern needs, but we can’t stop. By ensuring that agencies are not kept in the dark regarding which dangerous individuals are living where, we can continue to provide safe living arrangements for New Jersey families.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that would expand opportunities for non-violent offenders to be placed in the Intensive Supervision Program (ISP), a cost-saving alternative to prison, was approved by both the Senate and the Assembly today.

“ISP has proven itself to be a cost-effective alternative to incarceration for non-violent offenders over the past 25 years,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer and a leading advocate in the Senate for alternatives to prison. “At a time in which we are looking to reduce the cost of government at all levels, we should be looking to programs like ISP to use taxpayer dollars more effectively.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Linda R. Greenstein and Fred Madden that would strengthen New Jersey’s sex offender registry statute – Megan’s Law – was unanimously approved today by the full Senate, receiving final legislative approval.

“It has been nearly 20 years since Megan Kanka was brutally murdered, and since then, we have made great strides to ensure the safety of New Jersey’s children from sexual predators,” said Senator Greenstein, D-Middlesex/Mercer. “It is imperative for the continued protection of our kids that the legislation evolves to keep up when issues regarding the sex offender registry arise – such as the need to provide safe temporary housing. This bill will strengthen Megan’s Law by ensuring that agencies are not kept in the dark regarding which dangerous individuals are living where, so we can continue to provide safe living arrangements for New Jersey families.”