SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1744

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 7, 2024

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1744.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill requires private detectives to register their foreign employers with the State Police.

      Current federal law (18 U.S.C. s.951) requires any individual acting at the direction of a foreign government to notify the United States Attorney General.  This amended bill also requires a licensed private detective to notify the State Police when employed by a foreign government or foreign national.  This notification is in addition to any requirements under federal law.

      Further, under the amended bill, upon issuance of a license or a license renewal, the Superintendent of State Police is required to notify the licensee that the licensee is required to notify the State Police when employed by a foreign government or foreign national. 

     Finally, the amended bill requires the State Police to maintain a registry of private detectives licensed in this State who are employed by foreign nationals or foreign governments. The registry is available only to the Attorney General and members of the State Police.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to make clarifying and technical changes.