A bill in the state legislature that would allow people with certain drug convictions to qualify for a casino key employee license if they complete drug court was delayed Thursday.
Instead, the Senate passed an amendment to the bill that also adds graduates of the treatment program at Mid-State Correctional Facility, the State’s drug treatment facility in Burlington County.
Someone convicted of certain drug offenses is ineligible for a casino key employee license, which is needed to work at a casino, under current regulations.
In New Jersey, people assigned to drug court or Mid-State are usually low-level drug offenders.
This bill, however, would let people apply for a license if they complete drug court in New Jersey. It would also prohibit the Casino Control Commission from revoking licenses from people who complete drug court.
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Brown said this bill will give people a second chance to work, especially in light of the opioid epidemic that has swept through the state.
He added that he came up with the idea for the bill with South Jersey developer Joe Jingoli, a partner in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Jingoli told the senator he was interested in giving people a second chance and hiring them.
According to the latest data from the N.J. Administrative Office of the Courts, there are nearly 6,500 individuals currently participating in drug court. Out of 19,000 drug tests a month conducted by the program, 95 percent of those tests come back negative.
The bill is sponsored by Chris Brown, R-Atlantic, and Jeff Van Drew, D-Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland. It will be brought back up for a full vote during the senate’s next voting session, Brown said on Thursday.
