A bill being considered in the state Legislature would allow people with certain drug convictions to qualify for a casino key employee license if they complete drug court.
The bill, up for a vote Thursday in the Senate, is sponsored by Chris Brown, R-Atlantic, and Jeff Van Drew, D-Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland. It is not scheduled for a vote in the state Assembly on Thursday.
Under current law, someone convicted of certain drug offenses is ineligible for a casino key employee license, which is needed to work at a casino.
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.
In New Jersey, people assigned to drug court are usually low-level drug offenders.
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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.
“Sadly, too many of our Atlantic County families are struggling to overcome addiction and remain sober,” Brown said. “I believe the best way to show our love and truly help anyone struggling with addiction is to provide real hope for their long-term recovery by giving them the chance to live productive lives by creating job opportunities and allowing those who have successfully completed drug court the ability to work in the casino industry.”
Brown 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.
