N.J. Stat. § 46:8-53
Findings, declarations regarding housing to those with criminal records
New Jersey · New Jersey Statutes Title 46 — Property · Status: effective
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- N.J. Stat. § 46:8-53, Findings, declarations regarding housing to those with criminal records, New Jersey, version 1 as recorded 2026-09-28, yourstate.us, https://yourstate.us/provision/1474972
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2. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. Recent research indicates that New Jersey suffers from a tragically high 36-month recidivism rate of over 30 percent;
b. Housing instability appears to impact recidivism, considering that over one in 10 prisoners in the United States face homelessness upon release;
c. Research from other states indicates a substantial increase in the likelihood of a parolee's arrest following each change in address, further supporting the conclusion that when ex-convicts are unable to find stable housing, recidivism becomes more likely and public safety is diminished;
d. Prior to the 1990s when popular guidance documents began advising landlords to conduct criminal background checks on prospective tenants, criminal background information was not widely-available and convenient to landlords for informing rental decisions, but many landlords were nonetheless able to maintain safe and healthy rental properties; and
e. It is, therefore, necessary and in the public interest for the Legislature to enact legislation for the purpose of establishing certain housing rights of persons with criminal records.