All Roll Calls
Yes: 106 • No: 6
New JerseyS3530220th Legislature (2024-2025)SenateWALLET
Establishes "Incarcerated Women's Protection Act" and concerns correctional facility board of trustees.*
Sponsored By: Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez (Democratic), Linda R. Greenstein (Democratic), Hall, Garnet R., Yvonne Lopez (Democratic), Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (Democratic), M. Teresa Ruiz (Democratic), Sumter, Shavonda E.
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Childbirth and parenting help during incarceration
Beginning January 20, 2026, pregnant incarcerated women in New Jersey must receive doula services for pregnancy and childbirth support. They may have a support person during labor and birth; someone providing doula services needs the Corrections Commissioner’s approval. Incarcerated mothers must receive support services, with prenatal and parenting classes available. Parenting classes and family reunification programs must also be available to any incarcerated person scheduled for release within six months.
More help preparing for prison release
Beginning January 20, 2026, New Jersey Corrections must establish community supervision and reentry services with comprehensive, coordinated support. Incarcerated people who request help must get an opportunity to join case management and discharge planning before release. Corrections must also share information about approved nonprofit reentry services and programs, including faith-based and secular options.
More tailored services for incarcerated women
Beginning January 20, 2026, New Jersey Corrections must create a staffed Division of Women’s Services with a designated leader. It must develop services addressing trauma, parenting, family ties, structured incentives, and common-area activities. Corrections must use risk and needs assessments that account for gender when classifying incarcerated people. These assessments must support fairness, safety, dignity, family connections, and coordinated, culturally relevant care for addiction, trauma, and mental health. Incarcerated women must also have access to programs and services offered to men under the law’s covered corrections programs.
More training and oversight in prisons
Beginning January 20, 2026, staff must directly supervise women’s facilities to spot problems and respond before they escalate. Officers supervising women must complete yearly training on policies that address women’s needs. Every State correctional police officer must receive at least 40 training hours yearly, beyond firearms qualification and use-of-force training. This includes at least four hours on sexual abuse prevention, reporting, confidentiality, and emotional support. Another 16 hours cover facility-selected courses from the Commissioner’s approved list. Twenty hours cover de-escalation, reducing force, bias, cultural diversity, LGBTQ and gender-nonconforming people, incarcerated people’s rights, stress management, safety, and communication. Required training also addresses improper staff relationships and recognizing manipulation.
Separate boards oversee men's and women's prisons
Beginning January 20, 2026, New Jersey must have separate trustee boards for adult men’s and adult women’s State prisons. The law requires boards to have five to seven members, with at least two women on boards covering specified facilities. Members serve staggered three-year terms. Boards choose a chair, vice chair, and secretary, with officer elections each year by July 1. Compensation is limited to repayment of actual expenses. The law also repeals C.30:4-8.8 and C.30:4-146.1; the supplied text does not explain what those repeals change.
Stronger sexual abuse protections in prisons
Beginning January 20, 2026, a staffed unit within Women’s Services must oversee compliance with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act. An assistant commissioner must lead it. A new special victims unit must investigate sexual assault and other sexual misconduct in State correctional facilities. Victims and third parties can report verbally, in writing, by phone, electronically, or anonymously. Investigators and supervisors need ongoing training that accounts for trauma and gender; each facility must provide a confidential interview space. Alleged victims must receive dignity, respect, confidentiality, and safety. At intake and periodically afterward, everyone incarcerated must receive information on zero tolerance, abuse definitions, reporting duties and methods, rights, trauma-informed support, confidentiality, and protection from retaliation.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez
Democratic • Senate
Linda R. Greenstein
Democratic • Senate
Hall, Garnet R.
Affiliation unavailable
Yvonne Lopez
Democratic • House
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
Democratic • House
M. Teresa Ruiz
Democratic • Senate
Sumter, Shavonda E.
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Shama A. Haider
Democratic • House
Angela V. McKnight
Democratic • Senate
Ramirez, Jessica
Affiliation unavailable
Shirley K. Turner
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 1/12/2026
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 67 • No: 6
Senate vote • 1/12/2026
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 39 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor — P.L.2025, c.305.
1/20/2026GovernorPassed Assembly, PBH — (67-6-0)
1/12/2026HouseSubstituted for A4694 (1R)
1/12/2026HouseReceived in Assembly, Without Reference, 2nd Reading in Assembly
1/12/2026HousePassed Senate — (39-0)
1/12/2026SenateReported, 2nd Reading in Senate
11/13/2025SenateReferred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
6/19/2025SenateREP/SCA, 2nd Reading in Senate
6/19/2025SenateIntroduced, 1st Reading in Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
6/28/2024Senate
Bill Text
Version PL2025
6/12/2026
Version AL2025
6/5/2026
Senate Law and Public Safety (6/19/25 1R)
1/13/2026
11/17/2025; 1R
11/17/2025
Senate Budget and Appropriations Substitute (11/13/25 1R)
11/14/2025
Senate Law and Public Safety Substitute (6/19/25)
6/19/2025
As Introduced
5/20/2025
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