ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4684

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 21, 2024

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4684 with committee amendments.

      This bill permits the recovery of damages to be awarded against a public entity or public employee for pain and suffering resulting from certain injuries.

      Under current law, no damages are awarded against a public entity or public employee for pain and suffering resulting from any injury.  This limitation does not apply in cases of permanent loss of a bodily function, permanent disfigurement, or dismemberment where the medical treatment expenses are in excess of $3,600.00.

      This bill establishes that the limitation against recovery also does not apply to an action at law for an injury resulting from the commission of sexual assault, a prohibited sexual act as defined in N.J.S.A.2A:30B-2, sexual abuse as defined in N.J.S.A.2A:61B-1, or any other crime of sexual nature.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to further clarify that the recovery for pain and suffering as a result of a sexual offense is separate and distinct from recovery for permanent loss of a bodily function, permanent disfigurement, or dismemberment where the medical treatment expenses are in excess of $3,600.