ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 1941

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 18, 2025

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1941 (1R).

      As reported, 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.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) finds that this bill will have no impact on State expenditures. The bill expands the list of establishments which are required to post public awareness signage developed by the Commission on Human Trafficking regarding human

trafficking. The commission already provides a printable public awareness sign in English and Spanish for business owners on its website. Thus, there would be no associated costs for developing and designing a sign.

      Since the bill expands the list of establishments required to post a public awareness sign on human trafficking, it potentially could result in a marginal increase in revenues by way of civil penalties imposed on establishments that do not comply. However, the State’s ability to collect fines has historically been limited.