Bill Text: NJ A5342 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Establishes "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-06-10 - Reported out of Asm. Comm. with Amendments, and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee [A5342 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A5342-Amended.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes the "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee on June 10, 2019, with amendments.
An Act establishing the "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program" and supplementing chapter 9 of Appendix A.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature finds and declares:
a. The three year "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Pilot Program" established under P.L.2017, c.246 in the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP) shall expire 1on1 January 10 1,1 2020;
b. In these volatile times, the need to remain vigilant concerning domestic security and State and local preparedness remains of imminent importance;
c. Certain nonprofit organizations continue to be at high risk for threats, attacks, and other violent acts, and would continue to benefit from engaging in target hardening activities to reduce vulnerability;
d. Federal grant money distributed through the United States Department of Homeland Security's Nonprofit Security Grant Program provides these organizations with a competitive process to secure funds for certain target hardening activities, 1the expansion of existing security personnel, or the hiring of temporary security personnel,1 but 1[(1)]1 such federal funds to New Jersey institutions are limited based on national competition 1[; and (2) the federal program does not allow recipients to use the funds for the expansion of existing security personnel or the hiring of temporary security personnel]1;
e. 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 the increased need;
f. 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 in the private sector to ensure their readiness and the safety of their surrounding communities; and
g. Accordingly, it is within the public interest to make the "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program" in the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness permanent to continue to provide grants to eligible nonprofit organizations to hire permanent or temporary security personnel and 1for1 acquisition of target hardening equipment for the purpose of preparedness and reduction of vulnerability.
2. As used in this act:
"Director" means the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
"Eligible nonprofit organization" means a nonprofit organization located in New Jersey which is exempt from federal taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. s. 501 (c)(3)).
3. a. There is hereby established the "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program" in the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, which shall provide grants to eligible nonprofit organizations as annually appropriated (1) to hire permanent or temporary security personnel limited 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.), and (2) for acquisition of target hardening equipment for the purpose of preparedness against threats, attacks, and other violent acts.
b. The director shall administer the New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program. There shall annually be distributed to approved eligible nonprofit organizations a maximum grant of up to $10,000 per approved application for personnel and a maximum grant of up to $50,000 for target hardening equipment.
c. An eligible nonprofit organization shall apply to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to receive a grant under the program, for either costs of security personnel or acquisition of target hardening equipment, or both; however, an applicant only may be awarded funds for either personnel or for equipment in a fiscal year. The Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness first shall evaluate all applications as to whether they are at high risk of terrorist attack 1, threats, and other violent acts1. The costs of hiring security personnel shall include the cost of hiring personnel for an event primarily organized by the applicant away from the applicant's physical location and for which the applicant bears legal liability. 1The funds distributed under the program shall be utilized solely for security investments made within this State. No funds shall be utilized for travel outside of this State.1
Applicants may apply annually for a disbursement of funds for costs of security personnel and may be awarded grants in successive years. 1The Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness shall assign a preference for applicants who have not received a federal security grant that includes funding for hiring security personnel in the last two federal grant cycles.1
Applicants may apply annually for grant funds for acquisition of target hardening equipment. The Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness shall assign a preference for applicants who have not received either a federal or State security grant 1for target hardening equipment1 in the last two grant cycles.
d. The Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness shall request annually as part of its annual budget proposal a minimum of 1[$1,000,000] $2,000,0001 to fund the grants authorized pursuant to this section. The office also shall pursue and develop, with the Department of Law and Public Safety, the United States Department of Homeland Security, and any other applicable State or federal agency, any available federal, State, local, and private funding for the grants authorized pursuant to this section.
e. Of the amount appropriated to the program, five percent shall be allocated to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to be used to administer the program.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
