An Act concerning incarcerated individuals, amending and supplementing P.L.1976, c.98, and amending R.S.43:21-4 and R.S.43:21-16.

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

1. (New section) a. The Department of Corrections, in collaboration with the Administrative Office of the Courts, shall develop and maintain a cost-effective database and establish a data-sharing protocol to facilitate the exchange of State and local incarceration information to verify an individual's eligibility for federal or State benefit programs.

b. The incarceration information shall include identifying information and characteristics, including the name and social security number, of each inmate incarcerated in any State and local institution.

c. The information in the database shall be transmitted electronically to the Department of Human Services, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and the Department of the Treasury in a timely manner, and shall be used by the departments to verify an individual's eligibility for a federal or State benefit program administered by each department.

2. Section 6 of P.L.1976, c.98 (C.30:1B-6) is amended to read as follows:

6. The commissioner, as administrator and chief executive officer of the department, shall:

a. Administer the work of the department;

b. Appoint and remove officers and other personnel employed within the department, subject to the provisions of Title [11 of the Revised Statutes] 11A, Civil Service, of the New Jersey Statutes, and other applicable statutes, except as herein otherwise specifically provided;

c. Perform, exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of the department through such divisions as may be established by this act or otherwise by law;

d. Organize the work of the department in such divisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, and in such bureaus and other organizational units as he may determine to be necessary for efficient and effective operation;

e. Formulate, adopt, issue and promulgate, in the name of the department such rules and regulations for the efficient conduct of the work and general administration of the department, the institutions or noninstitutional agencies within its jurisdiction, its officers and employees as may be authorized by law;

f. Determine all matters relating to the unified and continuous development of the institutions and noninstitutional agencies within his jurisdiction;

g. Determine all matters of policy and regulate the administration of the institutions or noninstitutional agencies within his jurisdiction, correct and adjust the same so that each shall function as an integral part of a general system. The rules, regulations, orders and directions promulgated by the commissioner for this purpose shall be accepted and enforced by the executive having charge of any institution or group of institutions or noninstitutional agencies or any phase of the work within the jurisdiction of the department;

h. Institute or cause to be instituted such legal proceedings or processes as may be necessary to enforce properly and give effect to any of his powers or duties; for the purpose of any such investigation, he may cause to be examined under oath any and all persons whatsoever and compel by subpena the attendance of witnesses and the production of such books, records, accounts, papers and other documents as are appropriate. If a witness fails without good cause to attend, testify or produce such records or documents as are directed in the subpena, he shall be punished in the manner provided for the punishment of any witness who disobeys a summons or subpena issued from a court of record in this State;

i. Make a report in each year to the Governor and to the Legislature of the department's operations for the preceding fiscal year, and render such other reports as the Governor shall from time to time request or as may be required by law;

j. Appoint such advisory committees as may be desirable to advise and assist the department or a division in carrying out its functions and duties;

k. Maintain suitable headquarters for the department and such other quarters as he shall deem necessary to the proper functioning of the department;

l. Develop and from time to time revise and maintain a comprehensive master plan for the State's correctional system which shall indicate, among other things, the department's goals, objectives, resources and needs;

m. Promote the development of alternatives to conventional incarceration for those offenders who can be dealt with more effectively in less restrictive, community-based facilities;

n. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1995, c.280);

o. Promote a unified criminal justice system, including the integration of State and local correctional programs and probation and parole services;

p. Provide for the timely and efficient collection and analysis of data regarding the correctional system to insure the continuing review and evaluation of correctional services, policies and procedures; [and]

q. Perform such other functions as may be prescribed in this act or by any other law ; and

r. Compile identifying information on every inmate incarcerated in each State and local institution at the time of incarceration, pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) .

(cf: P.L.1995, c.280, s.28)

3. R.S.43:21-4 is amended to read as follows:

43:21-4. Benefit eligibility conditions. An unemployed individual shall be eligible to receive benefits with respect to any week eligible only if:

(a) The individual has filed a claim at an unemployment insurance claims office and thereafter continues to report at an employment service office or unemployment insurance claims office, as directed by the division in accordance with such regulations as the division may prescribe, except that the division may, by regulation, waive or alter either or both of the requirements of this subsection as to individuals attached to regular jobs, and as to such other types of cases or situations with respect to which the division finds that compliance with such requirements would be oppressive, or would be inconsistent with the purpose of this act; provided that no such regulation shall conflict with subsection (a) of R.S.43:21-3.

(b) The individual has made a claim for benefits in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of R.S.43:21-6.

(c)(1) The individual is able to work, and is available for work, and has demonstrated to be actively seeking work, except as hereinafter provided in this subsection or in subsection (f) of this section.

(2) The director may modify the requirement of actively seeking work if such modification of this requirement is warranted by economic conditions.

(3) No individual, who is otherwise eligible, shall be deemed ineligible, or unavailable for work, because the individual is on vacation, without pay, during said week, if said vacation is not the result of the individual's own action as distinguished from any collective action of a collective bargaining agent or other action beyond the individual's control.

(4) (A) Subject to such limitations and conditions as the division may prescribe, an individual, who is otherwise eligible, shall not be deemed unavailable for work or ineligible because the individual is attending a training program approved for the individual by the division to enhance the individual's employment opportunities or because the individual failed or refused to accept work while attending such program.

(B) For the purpose of this paragraph (4), any training program shall be regarded as approved by the division for the individual if the program and the individual meet the following requirements:

(i) The training is for a labor demand occupation and is likely to enhance the individual's marketable skills and earning power, except that the training may be for an occupation other than a labor demand occupation if the individual is receiving short-time benefits pursuant to the provisions of P.L.2011, c.154 (C.43:21-20.3 et al.) and the training is necessary to prevent a likely loss of jobs;

(ii) The training is provided by a competent and reliable private or public entity approved by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development pursuant to the provisions of section 8 of the "1992 New Jersey Employment and Workforce Development Act," P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-8);

(iii) The individual can reasonably be expected to complete the program, either during or after the period of benefits;

(iv) The training does not include on the job training or other training under which the individual is paid by an employer for work performed by the individual during the time that the individual receives benefits; and

(v) The individual enrolls in vocational training, remedial education or a combination of both on a full-time basis, except that the training or education may be on a part-time basis if the individual is receiving short-time benefits pursuant to the provisions of P.L.2011, c.154 (C.43:21-20.3 et al.).

(C) If the requirements of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph (4) are met, the division shall not withhold approval of the training program for the individual for any of the following reasons:

(i) The training includes remedial basic skills education necessary for the individual to successfully complete the vocational component of the training;

(ii) The training is provided in connection with a program under which the individual may obtain a college degree, including a post-graduate degree;

(iii) The length of the training period under the program; or

(iv) The lack of a prior guarantee of employment upon completion of the training.

(D) For the purpose of this paragraph (4), "labor demand occupation" means an occupation for which there is or is likely to be an excess of demand over supply for adequately trained workers, including, but not limited to, an occupation designated as a labor demand occupation by the Center for Occupational Employment Information pursuant to the provisions of subsection d. of section 27 of P.L.2005, c.354 (C.34:1A-86).

(5) An unemployed individual, who is otherwise eligible, shall not be deemed unavailable for work or ineligible solely by reason of the individual's attendance before a court in response to a summons for service on a jury.

(6) An unemployed individual, who is otherwise eligible, shall not be deemed unavailable for work or ineligible solely by reason of the individual's attendance at the funeral of an immediate family member, provided that the duration of the attendance does not extend beyond a two-day period.

For purposes of this paragraph, "immediate family member" includes any of the following individuals: father, mother, mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandmother, grandfather, grandchild, spouse, child, child placed by the Division of Youth and Family Services in the Department of Children and Families, sister or brother of the unemployed individual and any relatives of the unemployed individual residing in the unemployed individual's household.

(7) No individual, who is otherwise eligible, shall be deemed ineligible or unavailable for work with respect to any week because, during that week, the individual fails or refuses to accept work while the individual is participating on a full-time basis in self-employment assistance activities authorized by the division, whether or not the individual is receiving a self-employment allowance during that week.

(8) Any individual who is determined to be likely to exhaust regular benefits and need reemployment services based on information obtained by the worker profiling system shall not be eligible to receive benefits if the individual fails to participate in available reemployment services to which the individual is referred by the division or in similar services, unless the division determines that:

(A) The individual has completed the reemployment services; or

(B) There is justifiable cause for the failure to participate, which shall include participation in employment and training, self-employment assistance activities or other activities authorized by the division to assist reemployment or enhance the marketable skills and earning power of the individual and which shall include any other circumstance indicated pursuant to this section in which an individual is not required to be available for and actively seeking work to receive benefits.

(9) An unemployed individual, who is otherwise eligible, shall not be deemed unavailable for work or ineligible solely by reason of the individual's work as a board worker for a county board of elections on an election day.

(10) An individual who is employed by a shared work employer and is otherwise eligible for benefits shall not be deemed ineligible for short-time benefits because the individual is unavailable for work with employers other than the shared work employer, so long as:

(A) The individual is able to work and is available to work the individual's normal full-time hours for the shared work employer; or

(B) The individual is attending a training program which is in compliance with the provisions of paragraph (4) of subsection (c) of this section and the agreements and certifications required pursuant to the provisions of section 2 of P.L.2011, c.154 (C.43:21-20.4).

(d) With respect to any benefit year commencing before January 1, 2002, the individual has been totally or partially unemployed for a waiting period of one week in the benefit year which includes that week. When benefits become payable with respect to the third consecutive week next following the waiting period, the individual shall be eligible to receive benefits as appropriate with respect to the waiting period. No week shall be counted as a week of unemployment for the purposes of this subsection:

(1) If benefits have been paid, or are payable with respect thereto; provided that the requirements of this paragraph shall be waived with respect to any benefits paid or payable for a waiting period as provided in this subsection;

(2) If it has constituted a waiting period week under the "Temporary Disability Benefits Law," P.L.1948, c.110 (C.43:21-25 et al.);

(3) Unless the individual fulfills the requirements of subsections (a) and (c) of this section;

(4) If with respect thereto, claimant was disqualified for benefits in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of R.S.43:21-5.

The waiting period provided by this subsection shall not apply to benefit years commencing on or after January 1, 2002. An individual whose total benefit amount was reduced by the application of the waiting period to a claim which occurred on or after January 1, 2002 and before the effective date of P.L.2002, c.13, shall be permitted to file a claim for the additional benefits attributable to the waiting period in the form and manner prescribed by the division, but not later than the 180th day following the effective date of P.L.2002, c.13 unless the division determines that there is good cause for a later filing.

(e) (1) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2001, c.17).

(2) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2008, c.17).

(3) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2008, c.17).

(4) With respect to benefit years commencing on or after January 7, 2001, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection, the individual has, during his base year as defined in subsection (c) of R.S.43:21-19:

(A) Established at least 20 base weeks as defined in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (t) of R.S.43:21-19; or

(B) If the individual has not met the requirements of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph (4), earned remuneration not less than an amount 1,000 times the minimum wage in effect pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1966, c.113 (C.34:11-56a4) on October 1 of the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the benefit year commences, which amount shall be adjusted to the next higher multiple of $100 if not already a multiple thereof.

(5) With respect to benefit years commencing on or after January 7, 2001, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (4) of this subsection, an unemployed individual claiming benefits on the basis of service performed in the production and harvesting of agricultural crops shall, subject to the limitations of subsection (i) of R.S.43:21-19, be eligible to receive benefits if during his base year, as defined in subsection (c) of R.S.43:21-19, the individual:

(A) Has established at least 20 base weeks as defined in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (t) of R.S.43:21-19; or

(B) Has earned remuneration not less than an amount 1,000 times the minimum wage in effect pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1966, c.113 (C.34:11-56a4) on October 1 of the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the benefit year commences, which amount shall be adjusted to the next higher multiple of $100 if not already a multiple thereof; or

(6) The individual applying for benefits in any successive benefit year has earned at least six times his previous weekly benefit amount and has had four weeks of employment since the beginning of the immediately preceding benefit year. This provision shall be in addition to the earnings requirements specified in paragraph (4) or (5) of this subsection, as applicable.

(f) (1) The individual has suffered any accident or sickness not compensable under the workers' compensation law, R.S.34:15-1 et seq. and resulting in the individual's total disability to perform any work for remuneration, and would be eligible to receive benefits under this chapter (R.S.43:21-1 et seq.) (without regard to the maximum amount of benefits payable during any benefit year) except for the inability to work and has furnished notice and proof of claim to the division, in accordance with its rules and regulations, and payment is not precluded by the provisions of R.S.43:21-3(d); provided, however, that benefits paid under this subsection (f) shall be computed on the basis of only those base year wages earned by the claimant as a "covered individual," as defined in subsection (b) of section 3 of P.L.1948, c.110 (C.43:21-27); provided further that no benefits shall be payable under this subsection to any individual:

(A) For any period during which such individual is not under the care of a legally licensed physician, dentist, optometrist, podiatrist, practicing psychologist, advanced practice nurse, or chiropractor, who, when requested by the division, shall certify within the scope of the practitioner's practice, the disability of the individual, the probable duration thereof, and, where applicable, the medical facts within the practitioner's knowledge;

(B) (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1980, c.90.)

(C) For any period of disability due to willfully or intentionally self-inflicted injury, or to injuries sustained in the perpetration by the individual of a crime of the first, second or third degree;

(D) For any week with respect to which or a part of which the individual has received or is seeking benefits under any unemployment compensation or disability benefits law of any other state or of the United States; provided that if the appropriate agency of such other state or the United States finally determines that the individual is not entitled to such benefits, this disqualification shall not apply;

(E) For any week with respect to which or part of which the individual has received or is seeking disability benefits under the "Temporary Disability Benefits Law," P.L.1948, c.110 (C.43:21-25 et al.);

(F) For any period of disability commencing while such individual is a "covered individual," as defined in subsection (b) of section 3 of the "Temporary Disability Benefits Law," P.L.1948, c.110 (C.43:21-27).

(2) The individual is taking family temporary disability leave to provide care for a family member with a serious health condition or to be with a child during the first 12 months after the child's birth or placement of the child for adoption with the individual, and the individual would be eligible to receive benefits under R.S.43:21-1 et seq. (without regard to the maximum amount of benefits payable during any benefit year) except for the individual's unavailability for work while taking the family temporary disability leave, and the individual has furnished notice and proof of claim to the division, in accordance with its rules and regulations, and payment is not precluded by the provisions of R.S.43:21-3(d) provided, however, that benefits paid under this subsection (f) shall be computed on the basis of only those base year wages earned by the claimant as a "covered individual," as defined in subsection (b) of section 3 of P.L.1948, c.110 (C.43:21-27); provided further that no benefits shall be payable under this subsection to any individual:

(A) For any week with respect to which or a part of which the individual has received or is seeking benefits under any unemployment compensation or disability benefits law of any other state or of the United States; provided that if the appropriate agency of such other state or the United States finally determines that the individual is not entitled to such benefits, this disqualification shall not apply;

(B) For any week with respect to which or part of which the individual has received or is seeking disability benefits for a disability of the individual under the "Temporary Disability Benefits Law," P.L.1948, c.110 (C.43:21-25 et al.);

(C) For any period of family temporary disability leave commencing while the individual is a "covered individual," as defined in subsection (b) of section 3 of the "Temporary Disability Benefits Law," P.L.1948, c.110 (C.43:21-27); or

(D) For any period of family temporary disability leave for a serious health condition of a family member of the claimant during which the family member is not receiving inpatient care in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical care facility and is not subject to continuing medical treatment or continuing supervision by a health care provider, who, when requested by the division, shall certify within the scope of the provider's practice, the serious health condition of the family member, the probable duration thereof, and, where applicable, the medical facts within the provider's knowledge.

(3) Benefit payments under this subsection (f) shall be charged to and paid from the State disability benefits fund established by the "Temporary Disability Benefits Law," P.L.1948, c.110 (C.43:21-25 et al.), and shall not be charged to any employer account in computing any employer's experience rate for contributions payable under this chapter.

(g) Benefits based on service in employment defined in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of R.S.43:21-19 (i)(1) shall be payable in the same amount and on the terms and subject to the same conditions as benefits payable on the basis of other service subject to the "unemployment compensation law"; except that, notwithstanding any other provisions of the "unemployment compensation law":

(1) With respect to service performed after December 31, 1977, in an instructional research, or principal administrative capacity for an educational institution, benefits shall not be paid based on such services for any week of unemployment commencing during the period between two successive academic years, or during a similar period between two regular terms, whether or not successive, or during a period of paid sabbatical leave provided for in the individual's contract, to any individual if such individual performs such services in the first of such academic years (or terms) and if there is a contract or a reasonable assurance that such individual will perform services in any such capacity for any educational institution in the second of such academic years or terms;

(2) With respect to weeks of unemployment beginning after September 3, 1982, on the basis of service performed in any other capacity for an educational institution, benefits shall not be paid on the basis of such services to any individual for any week which commences during a period between two successive academic years or terms if such individual performs such services in the first of such academic years or terms and there is a reasonable assurance that such individual will perform such services in the second of such academic years or terms, except that if benefits are denied to any individual under this paragraph (2) and the individual was not offered an opportunity to perform these services for the educational institution for the second of any academic years or terms, the individual shall be entitled to a retroactive payment of benefits for each week for which the individual filed a timely claim for benefits and for which benefits were denied solely by reason of this clause;

(3) With respect to those services described in paragraphs (1) and (2) above, benefits shall not be paid on the basis of such services to any individual for any week which commences during an established and customary vacation period or holiday recess if such individual performs such services in the period immediately before such vacation period or holiday recess, and there is a reasonable assurance that such individual will perform such services in the period immediately following such period or holiday recess;

(4) With respect to any services described in paragraphs (1) and (2) above, benefits shall not be paid as specified in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) above to any individual who performed those services in an educational institution while in the employ of an educational service agency, and for this purpose the term "educational service agency" means a governmental agency or governmental entity which is established and operated exclusively for the purpose of providing those services to one or more educational institutions.

(h) Benefits shall not be paid to any individual on the basis of any services, substantially all of which consist of participating in sports or athletic events or training or preparing to so participate, for any week which commences during the period between two successive sports seasons (or similar periods) if such individual performed such services in the first of such seasons (or similar periods) and there is a reasonable assurance that such individual will perform such services in the later of such seasons (or similar periods).

(i) (1) Benefits shall not be paid on the basis of services performed by an alien unless such alien is an individual who was lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time the services were performed and was lawfully present for the purpose of performing the services or otherwise was permanently residing in the United States under color of law at the time the services were performed (including an alien who is lawfully present in the United States as a result of the application of the provisions of section 212(d)(5) (8 U.S.C. s.1182 (d)(5)) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. s.1101 et seq.)); provided that any modifications of the provisions of section 3304(a)(14) of the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (26 U.S.C. s. 3304 (a) (14)) as provided by Pub.L.94-566, which specify other conditions or other effective dates than stated herein for the denial of benefits based on services performed by aliens and which modifications are required to be implemented under State law as a condition for full tax credit against the tax imposed by the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, shall be deemed applicable under the provisions of this section.

(2) Any data or information required of individuals applying for benefits to determine whether benefits are not payable to them because of their alien status shall be uniformly required from all applicants for benefits.

(3) In the case of an individual whose application for benefits would otherwise be approved, no determination that benefits to such individual are not payable because of alien status shall be made except upon a preponderance of the evidence.

(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the director may, to the extent that it may be deemed efficient and economical, provide for consolidated administration by one or more representatives or deputies of claims made pursuant to subsection (f) of this section with those made pursuant to Article III (State plan) of the "Temporary Disability Benefits Law," P.L.1948, c.110 (C.43:21-25 et al.).

(k) The individual is not incarcerated, as verified by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development pursuant to subsection (i) of R.S.43:21-16.

(cf: P.L.2011, c.154, s.11)

4. R.S.43:21-16 is amended to read as follows:

43:21-16. (a) (1) Whoever makes a false statement or representation, knowing it to be false, or knowingly fails to disclose a material fact, to obtain or increase or attempts to obtain or increase any benefit or other payment under this chapter (R.S.43:21-1 et seq.), or under an employment security law of any other state or of the federal government, either for himself or for any other person, shall be liable to a fine of 25% of the amount fraudulently obtained, to be recovered in an action at law in the name of the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development of the State of New Jersey or as provided in subsection (e) of R.S.43:21-14, said fine when recovered shall be immediately deposited in the following manner: 10 percent of the amount fraudulently obtained deposited into the unemployment compensation auxiliary fund for the use of said fund, and 15 percent of the amount fraudulently obtained deposited into the unemployment compensation fund; and each such false statement or representation or failure to disclose a material fact shall constitute a separate offense. Any penalties imposed by this subsection shall be in addition to those otherwise prescribed in this chapter (R.S.43:21-1 et seq.).

(2) For purposes of any unemployment compensation program of the United States, if the department determines that any benefit amount is obtained by an individual due to fraud committed by the individual, the department shall assess a fine on the individual and deposit the recovered fine in the same manner as provided in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this section. As used in this paragraph, "unemployment compensation program of the United States" means:

(A) Unemployment compensation for federal civilian employees pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.;

(B) Unemployment compensation for ex-service members pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 8521 et seq.;

(D) Disaster unemployment assistance pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 5177(a);

(E) Any federal temporary extension of unemployment compensation;

(F) Any federal program that increases the weekly amount of unemployment compensation payable to individuals; and

(G) Any other federal program providing for the payment of unemployment compensation.

(b) (1) An employing unit or any officer or agent of an employing unit or any other person who makes a false statement or representation, knowing it to be false, or who knowingly fails to disclose a material fact, to prevent or reduce the payment of benefits to any individual entitled thereto or to avoid becoming or remaining subject hereto or to avoid or reduce any contribution or other payment required from an employing unit under this chapter (R.S.43:21-1 et seq.), or under an employment security law of any other state or of the federal government, or who willfully fails or refuses to furnish any reports required hereunder (except for such reports as may be required under subsection (b) of R.S.43:21-6) or to produce or permit the inspection or copying of records, as required hereunder, shall be liable to a fine of $100.00, or 25% of the amount fraudulently withheld, whichever is greater, to be recovered in an action at law in the name of the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development of the State of New Jersey or as provided in subsection (e) of R.S.43:21-14, said fine when recovered to be paid to the unemployment compensation auxiliary fund for the use of said fund; and each such false statement or representation or failure to disclose a material fact, and each day of such failure or refusal shall constitute a separate offense. Any penalties imposed by this paragraph shall be in addition to those otherwise prescribed in this chapter (R.S.43:21-1 et seq.).

(2) Any employing unit or any officer or agent of an employing unit or any other person who fails to submit any report required under subsection (b) of R.S.43:21-6 shall be subject to a penalty of $25.00 for the first report not submitted within 10 days after the mailing of a request for such report, and an additional $25.00 penalty may be assessed for the next 10-day period, which may elapse after the end of the initial 10-day period and before the report is filed; provided that when such report or reports are not filed within the prescribed time but it is shown to the satisfaction of the director that the failure was due to a reasonable cause, no such penalty shall be imposed. Any penalties imposed by this paragraph shall be recovered as provided in subsection (e) of R.S.43:21-14, and when recovered shall be paid to the unemployment compensation auxiliary fund for the use of said fund.

(3) Any employing unit, officer or agent of the employing unit, or any other person, determined by the controller to have knowingly violated, or attempted to violate, or advised another person to violate the transfer of employment experience provisions found at R.S.43:21-7 (c)(7), or who otherwise knowingly attempts to obtain a lower rate of contributions by failing to disclose material information, or by making a false statement, or by a misrepresentation of fact, shall be subject to a fine of $5,000 or 25% of the contributions under-reported or attempted to be under-reported, whichever is greater, to be recovered as provided in subsection (e) of R.S.43:21-14, and when recovered to be paid to the unemployment compensation auxiliary fund for the use of said fund. For the purposes of this subsection, "knowingly" means having actual knowledge of, or acting with deliberate ignorance or reckless disregard for the prohibition involved.

(c) Any person who shall willfully violate any provision of this chapter (R.S.43:21-1 et seq.) or any rule or regulation thereunder, the violation of which is made unlawful or the observance of which is required under the terms of this chapter (R.S.43:21-1 et seq.), and for which a penalty is neither prescribed herein nor provided by any other applicable statute, shall be liable to a fine of $50.00, to be recovered in an action at law in the name of the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development of the State of New Jersey or as provided in subsection (e) of R.S.43:21-14, said fine when recovered to be paid to the unemployment compensation auxiliary fund for the use of said fund; and each day such violation continues shall be deemed to be a separate offense.

(d) (1) When it is determined by a representative or representatives designated by the Director of the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development of the State of New Jersey that any person, whether (i) by reason of the nondisclosure or misrepresentation by him or by another of a material fact (whether or not such nondisclosure or misrepresentation was known or fraudulent), or (ii) for any other reason, has received any sum as benefits under this chapter (R.S.43:21-1 et seq.) while any conditions for the receipt of benefits imposed by this chapter (R.S.43:21-1 et seq.) were not fulfilled in his case, or while he was disqualified from receiving benefits, or while otherwise not entitled to receive such sum as benefits, such person, unless the director (with the concurrence of the controller) directs otherwise by regulation, shall be liable to repay those benefits in full. The employer's account shall not be charged for the amount of an overpayment of benefits if the overpayment was caused by an error of the division and not by any error of the employer. The sum shall be deducted from any future benefits payable to the individual under this chapter (R.S.43:21-1 et seq.) or shall be paid by the individual to the division for the unemployment compensation fund, and such sum shall be collectible in the manner provided for by law, including, but not limited to, the filing of a certificate of debt with the Clerk of the Superior Court of New Jersey; provided, however, that, except in the event of fraud, no person shall be liable for any such refunds or deductions against future benefits unless so notified before four years have elapsed from the time the benefits in question were paid. Such person shall be promptly notified of the determination and the reasons therefor. The determination shall be final unless the person files an appeal of the determination within seven calendar days after the delivery of the determination, or within 10 calendar days after such notification was mailed to his last-known address, for any determination made on or before December 1, 2010, and any initial determination made pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of R.S.43:21-6 after December 1, 2010, or within 20 calendar days after the delivery of such determination, or within 20 calendar days after such notification was mailed to his last-known address, for any determination other than an initial determination made after December 1, 2010.

(2) Interstate and cross-offset of state and federal unemployment benefits. To the extent permissible under the laws and Constitution of the United States, the commissioner is authorized to enter into or cooperate in arrangements or reciprocal agreements with appropriate and duly authorized agencies of other states or the United States Secretary of Labor, or both, whereby:

(A) Overpayments of unemployment benefits as determined under subsection (d) of R.S.43:21-16 shall be recovered by offset from unemployment benefits otherwise payable under the unemployment compensation law of another state, and overpayments of unemployment benefits as determined under the unemployment compensation law of another state shall be recovered by offset from unemployment benefits otherwise payable under R.S.43:21-1 et seq.; and

(B) Overpayments of unemployment benefits as determined under applicable federal law, with respect to benefits or allowances for unemployment provided under a federal program administered by this State under an agreement with the United States Secretary of Labor, shall be recovered by offset from unemployment benefits otherwise payable under R.S.43:21-1 et seq., or any federal program administered by this State, or under the unemployment compensation law of another state or any federal unemployment benefit or allowance program administered by another state under an agreement with the United States Secretary of Labor, if the other state has in effect a reciprocal agreement with the United States Secretary of Labor as authorized by subsection (g) of 42 U.S.C.s.503, and if the United States agrees, as provided in the reciprocal agreement with this State entered into under subsection (g) of 42 U.S.C.s.503, that overpayments of unemployment benefits as determined under subsection (d) of R.S.43:21-16 and overpayments as determined under the unemployment compensation law of another state which has in effect a reciprocal agreement with the United States Secretary of Labor as authorized by subsection (g) of 42 U.S.C.s.503, shall be recovered by offset from benefits or allowances otherwise payable under a federal program administered by this State or another state under an agreement with the United States Secretary of Labor.

(e) (1) Any employing unit, or any officer or agent of an employing unit, which officer or agent is directly or indirectly responsible for collecting, truthfully accounting for, remitting when payable any contribution, or filing or causing to be filed any report or statement required by this chapter, or employer, or person failing to remit, when payable, any employer contributions, or worker contributions (if withheld or deducted), or the amount of such worker contributions (if not withheld or deducted), or filing or causing to be filed with the controller or the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development of the State of New Jersey, any false or fraudulent report or statement, and any person who aids or abets an employing unit, employer, or any person in the preparation or filing of any false or fraudulent report or statement with intent to defraud the State of New Jersey or an employment security agency of any other state or of the federal government, or with intent to evade the payment of any contributions, interest or penalties, or any part thereof, which shall be due under the provisions of this chapter (R.S.43:21-1 et seq.), shall be liable for each offense upon conviction before any Superior Court or municipal court, to a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both, at the discretion of the court. The fine upon conviction shall be payable to the unemployment compensation auxiliary fund. Any penalties imposed by this subsection shall be in addition to those otherwise prescribed in this chapter (R.S.43:21-1 et seq.).

(2) Any employing unit, officer or agent of the employing unit, or any other person, who knowingly violates, or attempts to violate, or advise another person to violate the transfer of employment experience provisions found at R.S.43:21-7 (c)(7) shall be, upon conviction before any Superior Court or municipal court, guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. For the purposes of this subsection, "knowingly" means having actual knowledge of, or acting with deliberate ignorance or reckless disregard for the prohibition involved.

(f) Any employing unit or any officer or agent of an employing unit or any other person who aids and abets any person to obtain any sum of benefits under this chapter to which he is not entitled, or a larger amount as benefits than that to which he is justly entitled, shall be liable for each offense upon conviction before any Superior Court or municipal court, to a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both, at the discretion of the court. The fine upon conviction shall be payable to the unemployment compensation auxiliary fund. Any penalties imposed by this subsection shall be in addition to those otherwise prescribed in this chapter (R.S.43:21-1 et seq.).

(g) There shall be created in the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development of the State of New Jersey an investigative staff for the purpose of investigating violations referred to in this section and enforcing the provisions thereof.

(h) An employing unit or any officer or agent of an employing unit who makes a false statement or representation, knowing it to be false, or who knowingly fails to disclose a material fact, to reduce benefit charges to the employing unit pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of R.S.43:21-7, shall be liable to a fine of $1,000, to be recovered in an action at law in the name of the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development of the State of New Jersey or as provided in subsection (e) of R.S.43:21-14. The fine when recovered shall be paid to the unemployment compensation auxiliary fund for the use of the fund. Each false statement or representation or failure to disclose a material fact, and each day of that failure or refusal shall constitute a separate offense. Any penalties imposed by this subsection shall be in addition to those otherwise prescribed in R.S.43:21-1 et seq.

(i) The Department of Labor and Workforce Development shall arrange for the electronic receipt of identifying information from the Department of Corrections and the Administrative Office of the Courts, pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill), and establish a verification system to confirm that benefits paid pursuant to the "unemployment compensation law," R.S.43:21-1 et seq., are not being paid to individuals who are incarcerated.

(cf: P.L.2013, c.124, s.1)

5. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill would require incarceration information to be shared between the appropriate State departments in order to prevent incarcerated individuals from receiving payments from certain State and federal benefits programs.

Under the bill, the Department of Corrections (DOC), which maintains inmate incarceration data for prisoners whose sentences are served at State prisons, in collaboration with the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), which maintains county inmate incarceration data, is directed to develop and maintain a cost-effective database and establish a data-sharing protocol to facilitate the exchange of State and local incarceration information to verify an individual's eligibility for federal or State benefit programs. The incarceration information must include identifying information and characteristics, including the name and social security number, of each inmate incarcerated in any State and local institution, at the time of incarceration.

The DOC would specifically be required to compile identifying information on every inmate incarcerated in each State and local institution at the time of incarceration. The information in the database would be transmitted electronically to the Department of Human Services, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and the Department of the Treasury in a timely manner, and would be used by the departments to verify an individual's eligibility for a federal or State benefit program administered by that respective department, such as the unemployment insurance program, the New Jersey Medical Assistance and Health Services Program (Medicaid), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Work First New Jersey program, and pension payments to retired public employees.

Further, the bill would codify that incarcerated individuals are prohibited from receiving benefits paid pursuant to the "unemployment compensation law."

This bill implements the recommendations made by the Office of the State Comptroller in its "Improper Benefit Payments to Incarcerated Individuals" May 29, 2013 report, which identified more than $23 million in benefits payments made to incarcerated individuals.