ASSEMBLY PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1941

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

      The Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1941.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill would expand the establishments in which the Commission on Human Trafficking is required to post public awareness signage.

      The commission is currently required to develop a public awareness sign containing information on how to identify and report suspected human trafficking, including, but not limited to, by providing the national, 24-hour toll-free hotline telephone service on human trafficking described under section 18 of P.L.2013, c.51 (C.2C:13-11).

      This bill expands the required public awareness signage to the following establishments: gas stations; staffing agencies; State, county, and municipal law enforcement offices; nail salons; and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission offices.  The amended bill requires signs to be maintained and any signs that are removed or defaced to be replaced within 10 days.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments require establishments to maintain signs, including replacing signs which have been removed or defaced within 10 days of their being made aware of the missing or defaced sign.  A civil penalty of $300 is imposed for a first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.